Racing Bulls F1 team principal Alan Permane says the 2027 driver line‑up will be settled within weeks as the outfit weighs Liam Lawson against Nikola Tsolov for the final VCARB seat. Will they finally pick?
Red Bull must decide who will sit beside rookie Arvid Lindblad in 2027 after the Swede proved his worth during a strong debut season and remains in the long‑term frame for a Red Bull Racing seat.
That leaves incumbent Liam Lawson and reserve driver Nikola Tsolov, the 19‑year‑old Bulgarian who has dazzled in F2 and sits next in line in the Red Bull junior programme.
Lawson has impressively rebuilt his reputation after a brief 2025 Red Bull Racing stint and stepped up in 2026, even though he never completed a full season with a single team. Earlier this year he filled in for the injured Isack Hadjar, showing promise in the RB22 before returning to his familiar cockpit.
Speaking on Friday in Singapore, VCARB team principal Permane admitted the squad enjoys a luxury problem with three “fantastic” options, yet stressed they aren’t hurrying the choice.
“It’ll happen in the coming weeks,” Permane said. “We’re not in a rush. Everyone knows we have two fantastic drivers and a standout F2 talent ready to go. But three don’t fit into two, so we’ll take a bit more time to nail the right pairing for next year.”
While Lawson’s solo performances could merit another year at Racing Bulls, the team must balance that against its role as a talent incubator for Red Bull Racing. For my money, promoting the exciting F2 frontrunner Tsolov alongside Lindblad makes the most sense.
Nikola Tsolov, Racing Bulls
When asked about his and the Red Bull family’s criteria, Permane replied: “There are many factors. Speed and pace sit at the top of the list.”
“We’re in a slightly unique spot. We want young drivers, we want fresh talent, and we keep an eye on their future progression. It’s not just about today, but what they can become tomorrow.”
Photos from F1 Singapore GP – Friday
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