Red Bull’s Decision on 2027 Seat: Lawson vs. Tsolov
In the background of a frantic Formula 1 weekend at Interlagos, one of the sport’s most ruthless talent pipelines is pausing for breath.
Racing Bulls, long the proving ground for Red Bull’s next big thing, are edging towards a call that could define careers: who gets the 2027 seat – Liam Lawson or Nikola Tsolov?
The answer, for now, remains locked behind closed doors.
A marked card and a rising favourite
On form alone, Lawson should be right in the middle of the conversation. He impressed in a three‑race stand‑in role for the injured Isack Hadjar earlier this year, and only last week in Mexico he carved his way from a pit-lane start to ninth on the road, later upgraded to seventh.
Yet sources have told the Herald that his future with the main Red Bull organisation is already effectively written. His brief two‑race stint with Red Bull before being demoted in 2025 has, in the eyes of the hierarchy, marked his card.
That shadow hangs over everything.
Tsolov, by contrast, looks very much like the coming man. The Bulgarian is only seven points off the Formula Two championship lead in his rookie campaign and has already been publicly framed as the next in line for promotion by Racing Bulls’ experienced sporting director Alan Permane.
Inside the paddock, that kind of language matters. It usually signals direction, if not yet a decision.
Permane plays it cold
Permane, whose own deal with Racing Bulls has just been extended, cut off any attempt to pin him down when he spoke between Friday practice sessions at Interlagos.
“I’m not going to give you a date,” he said, before quickly shifting the focus to the broader Red Bull machine. “Red Bull has a very successful young driver programme.
“I don’t want to be critical of it, but I think if [media] are critical of it, maybe sometimes drivers haven’t been able to have enough time to settle.
“Some snap decisions have been made. We’re trying to apply a little bit of science, and that takes some time. We’re looking at everything, and studying, analysing.
“Time is on our side. We’re not in a rush to do anything. I’m very confident the right decision will be made.
“I realise it’s frustrating for our drivers, I realise it’s frustrating for everyone else. But we want to get it right – we will get it right.
“I’m sure when we announce it in the coming weeks, everyone will be happy.”
For a programme famous for brutal mid‑season cuts, that talk of “time” and “science” is a notable shift in tone.
More than just raw speed
After Mexico, Racing Bulls chief executive Peter Bayer had already pointed to Permane as the man who will ultimately make the call on the 2027 line‑up. The Englishman knows exactly what he wants – and what complicates the choice.
“The main factors are, as always, pace and speed. That’s the first thing we look for,” he said when pressed on what will tip the balance.
But Racing Bulls are not just hunting points. They exist to feed Red Bull Racing.
“We’re not just a team that exists solely to compete. We’re here to bring young talent through, so we have to keep an eye on that.
“That doesn’t mean we necessarily keep churning young talent through the car. We maybe need to have some experience as well to measure that talent against. It’s not an easy decision.
“I understand and get the frustration from everyone. I get the frustration from my drivers. However, they’re both performing excellently.
“I don’t know if that frustration is helping, maybe they’ll be even better when those decisions are made.”
That is the tension at the heart of the project: development versus stability, promise versus proof.
Lawson’s gamble, Tsolov’s timing
Lawson, speaking on Friday (NZ time), made it clear he has no “Plan B” if Racing Bulls decide to move on without him. In a market where seats vanish quickly, that stance is bold.
It also appears to close the door on any immediate switch to Cadillac, who are assessing Valtteri Bottas’ future at the team. American hopeful Colton Herta has now ticked off the final requirements for an FIA super licence after running in Brazilian practice, adding another layer of competition for any available drive.
Tsolov, on the other hand, has the wind at his back. Strong rookie F2 numbers, public backing from Permane, and a Red Bull system eager to showcase its next graduate – the pieces are aligning neatly.
No wonder speculation has turned to creative solutions. One scenario floated: confirm Tsolov early for 2028 and let Lawson and Arvid Lindblad fight across next season to partner him.
Permane refused to bite.
“All solutions are possible,” he said. “I’m not going to give you any clues on what we’re going to do.
“We’re almost there, but we’re not finalised. I’m not going to say one thing or another – nice try though.”
A decision that will echo
For once, Red Bull’s junior operation is not lunging at the first option. It is weighing, measuring, stalling – aware that this call will echo across multiple careers and seasons.
Lawson waits without a safety net. Tsolov pushes on in F2, seven points off the summit and climbing. Lindblad hovers in the background, part of the longer game.
The announcement is coming “in the coming weeks,” as Permane promised. When it lands, it will say as much about the new Red Bull philosophy as it does about the driver who wins that 2027 seat.
