Red Bull reportedly settles 2027 driver line-up as Nikola Tsolov faces Japan move – Red Bull has reportedly decided to keep its current four-driver line-up for the 2027 Formula 1 season, with Liam Lawson set to remain at Racing Bulls and Formula 2 standout Nikola Tsolov potentially heading to Japan instead of being promoted to F1.
According to the New Zealand Herald, Red Bull is expected to retain Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar at its senior team, while Lawson and Arvid Lindblad would continue at Racing Bulls.
The report would effectively resolve one of the remaining questions surrounding Red Bull’s 2027 driver plans, although neither Red Bull nor Racing Bulls has formally confirmed the line-up.
Lawson reportedly gets another year at Racing Bulls
Lawson’s position had been one of the more intriguing questions within the Red Bull driver programme.
The New Zealander began 2026 alongside rookie Lindblad at Racing Bulls, but was temporarily promoted to Red Bull after Hadjar suffered a wrist injury during the summer break.
Lawson subsequently drove for the senior team at Zandvoort, Monza and Madrid. He scored points in two of those three races, including sixth place at the Spanish Grand Prix.
His performances also earned praise from Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, who said Lawson had done a “very good job” and highlighted the driver’s calm and focused approach.
The latest report therefore suggests Lawson has done enough to retain his Racing Bulls seat for another season.
Tsolov could follow Lawson’s path to Japan
The reported decision would come at the expense of Red Bull junior Tsolov, who has emerged as one of the leading young drivers in Formula 2.
The Bulgarian has impressed during his first F2 campaign and had previously been described by Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane as “next in line” for a potential promotion.
That made Tsolov a serious candidate for one of the Racing Bulls seats alongside Lawson and Lindblad.
However, the New Zealand Herald now reports that Red Bull could instead send the 19-year-old to Japan’s Super Formula championship in 2027, while also giving him a reserve role with Racing Bulls.
Such a move would give Red Bull another year to develop and assess Tsolov before deciding whether he is ready for a permanent F1 seat.
A familiar route for Red Bull juniors
Super Formula would also represent a familiar development route for Tsolov.
Lawson spent the 2023 season racing in Japan’s championship, winning three races and finishing runner-up before establishing himself more permanently in Formula 1.
Pierre Gasly also followed a similar route, competing in Super Formula in 2017 before securing his F1 opportunity with Toro Rosso.
For Red Bull, sending Tsolov to Japan would therefore not necessarily represent a setback. Instead, it would allow the team to keep the highly rated junior within its programme while avoiding an immediate change to the Racing Bulls line-up.
It could also give Tsolov more experience before Red Bull eventually has to decide where he fits into its long-term plans.
Verstappen, Hadjar and Lindblad reportedly stay put
The other three positions appear less complicated.
Verstappen’s place at Red Bull is secure, while Hadjar is reportedly set to continue alongside him after making the step up from Racing Bulls for 2026.
Lindblad, meanwhile, would enter his second season at Racing Bulls after making his F1 debut this year.
The reported four-driver line-up would therefore see both Red Bull teams enter 2027 without a change to their current race drivers.
That would leave Tsolov waiting for his opportunity, potentially following Lawson’s own route through Super Formula before returning to the Red Bull system with greater experience.
For now, however, the report should be treated as an indication of Red Bull’s plans rather than an official confirmation. Racing Bulls previously stated that it had not discussed giving Tsolov a full-time 2027 seat, while later comments from Permane identified him as a leading candidate for the future.
If the latest report proves accurate, Red Bull will have opted for continuity in 2027 while keeping one of its most promising young drivers on a development path outside Formula 1.
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