Liam Lawson says he is more confident about his Formula 1 future than at the same time last year, speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as the driver market tightens.

The New Zealander returned to Racing Bulls after three substitute outings at Red Bull, covering for Isack Hadjar following a summer training wrist injury.

Red Bull has confirmed Hadjar to partner Max Verstappen for 2027, narrowing Lawson’s senior-team pathway and placing greater emphasis on his prospects with Racing Bulls.

Lawson indicates talks over his seat are progressing, with a decision possible within the next few races, which aligns with the typical phase when contracts begin to crystallize.

He stresses performance over negotiations, targeting consistent points. Limited familiarity with the current Red Bull made that stint demanding at this stage of the season.

Even so, he describes those outings as positive and welcomes the switch back to Racing Bulls, where procedures and car characteristics are familiar. That experience should stabilise weekends and sharpen execution.

Compared to last year, Lawson’s position is stronger. He did not get Racing Bulls confirmation until early December, after a difficult start that included a two‑race demotion from Red Bull.

This season he has banked points in 10 of 14 starts and sits ninth in the standings, underlining repeatability that carries weight in the midfield.

His peak result is sixth at the Spanish Grand Prix, a tidy execution that reinforces his case as line‑ups for 2027 begin to take shape across the Red Bull system.

With Red Bull’s plan set and Racing Bulls his current platform, Lawson aims to maintain momentum while his future after Red Bull becomes clearer over the coming rounds.

The priority remains straightforward: keep the points streak alive and reduce volatility, the currency that ultimately decides seats in a congested midfield.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.