Red Bull Racing’s internal driver dynamics may soon shift dramatically, as speculation intensifies around Liam Lawson’s future in Formula 1. Pundit and former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya suggests that Red Bull might terminate Lawson’s contract for a second time within the same season, potentially replacing him with emerging junior talent Arvid Lindblad. Once poised for greatness beside Max Verstappen, Lawson’s career has spiraled after underwhelming early-season performances that led to his rapid demotion.
Lawson’s demotion to the Racing Bulls marked a steep fall from grace. Paired with fellow rookie Isack Hadjar, Lawson has struggled to reassert himself. Though he has exhibited occasional speed, Hadjar appears to be consistently outperforming him. The psychological toll of his sudden exit from the senior team has reportedly affected his confidence, a factor Montoya believes may continue to hinder Lawson’s resurgence unless addressed urgently.
Red Bull, known for its ruthless approach to talent development, is now closely monitoring Lindblad, the 17-year-old sensation making waves in Formula 2. Lindblad’s swift adaptation and early success in the series have already positioned him as a likely successor should Lawson falter further. Red Bull’s track record suggests they won’t hesitate to expedite Lindblad’s elevation if they believe he can deliver at the highest level.
Helmut Marko, the architect of Red Bull’s driver program, recently praised Lindblad’s potential, noting his readiness compared to other junior drivers like Jack Doohan or Oscar Piastri. Marko emphasized that Lindblad will receive testing opportunities that Lawson and Hadjar were denied, potentially accelerating his transition to Formula 1 as early as 2026—or sooner if Red Bull decides to act aggressively.
For Lawson, time is of the essence. His brief stint with Verstappen at the senior team showed promise, but he has yet to recapture that form with Racing Bulls. Unless he demonstrates a dramatic turnaround in performance and mentality, Red Bull’s shifting priorities and Lindblad’s meteoric rise may close the chapter on Lawson’s once-promising F1 future.