Sky Sports F1 insider Ted Kravitz believes Racing Bulls will retain Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad for the 2027 Formula 1 season, with junior driver Nikola Tsolov potentially remaining in a reserve role.
Although the team has yet to formally confirm its plans, Kravitz expects this season’s performances to be rewarded with new contracts for both drivers.
Kravitz expects Racing Bulls to keep its current lineup
With two of Red Bull’s four Formula 1 seats still officially unconfirmed for 2027, attention has turned to the future of Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad.
However, Sky Sports F1 journalist Ted Kravitz is convinced the team will stick with its current pairing for another season, pointing to their performances and the points they have contributed to the Constructors’ Championship.
Speaking in Singapore, Kravitz said: “They work well together, they score a lot of points. It looks like Racing Bulls will finish fifth in the Constructors’ Championship. Just to reward them for these points, they will get another contract.”
While Red Bull has yet to make an official announcement, Kravitz’s assessment suggests continuity is the preferred option as the team prepares for the next season.
Lindblad and Lawson strengthen their cases
Lindblad has impressed during his rookie campaign, establishing himself as a promising prospect within Red Bull’s driver development programme.
The young driver’s performances have strengthened expectations that he will remain with Racing Bulls in 2027, giving the team an opportunity to continue developing his potential in Formula 1.
Lawson, meanwhile, has also exceeded expectations this season, adding further weight to the argument for retaining the current pairing.
Keeping both drivers would offer Racing Bulls stability heading into another season, particularly as the team continues to compete against more established midfield rivals.
Their combined contribution to the Constructors’ Championship could prove an important factor in the final decision, with Kravitz suggesting that their results have already done much to secure their futures.
Permane says Red Bull will take its time
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has stopped short of confirming the lineup, insisting the team will make its decision in the coming weeks.
Speaking in Singapore, Permane acknowledged the quality of the available drivers but explained that the team faces a difficult choice, with three candidates competing for two race seats.
“Everyone knows we have two fantastic drivers. And at the moment we have a fantastic driver in Formula 2. They’re all ready. But three drivers don’t fit into two cockpits. We’ll take a little more time and make sure we have the right driver pairing next year,” Permane said.
He also indicated there was no immediate pressure to finalise the decision, leaving the door open for further consideration before the announcement.
Tsolov could remain Red Bull’s reserve option
The third driver in contention is Bulgarian youngster Nikola Tsolov, who is fighting for the Formula 2 title and sits second in the championship standings.
His progress has put him firmly on Red Bull’s radar as the organisation assesses its longer-term options within its driver development programme.
However, Kravitz believes Tsolov is unlikely to displace either Racing Bulls driver for 2027. Instead, he expects the 19-year-old to take on a reserve role with the team next season.
That arrangement would allow Red Bull to continue monitoring Tsolov’s development while maintaining continuity in its Formula 1 lineup.
For now, the team’s official position remains unchanged: a decision is expected in the coming weeks. Nevertheless, Kravitz’s prediction points towards Lawson and Lindblad being retained, with Tsolov waiting for his opportunity.
Until Racing Bulls confirms its plans, however, the reported outcome remains an informed expectation rather than an official driver announcement.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
