Liam Lawson Formula 1 2026

The story so far

Liam Lawson, a New Zealander, is back driving for Racing Bulls in Formula One after being demoted from the senior Red Bull team in 2025 following two races alongside Max Verstappen, having failed to score points.^{22 Sep; 20 Oct} In late September 2026 he had a rough Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend: a near-collision with Lewis Hamilton in practice, then 12th in the race after teammate Arvid Lindblad hit him at a safety car restart, for which Lindblad was not penalised.^{25, 26, 27 Sep} His form picked up in October, with seventh in the Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, where he climbed as high as fourth in the rain.^{4 Oct} He then took fifth in the Singapore sprint and seventh in the Singapore Grand Prix, his third double-points weekend of 2026.^{10, 12 Oct} His future is uncertain: Red Bull's boss has set a timeline for the 2027 Racing Bulls lineup decision, and former Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko has said he opposes Lawson keeping his seat.^{28 Sep; 23 Oct}

Latest

Lawson qualified ninth for the US Grand Prix in Austin, with his team choosing to save his tyres for the race.^{25 Oct} He finished ninth, holding his starting position to earn two points, as Kimi Antonelli won the race.^{25 Oct}

Key moments

1. 25 SepLawson narrowly avoids colliding with Lewis Hamilton in Baku practice.
2. 27 SepTeammate Arvid Lindblad hits Lawson at a safety car restart in Baku; no penalty.
3. 28 SepRed Bull boss sets a timeline for the 2027 Racing Bulls lineup decision.
4. 4 OctLawson returns to the points with seventh in the rain-hit race at Sepang.
5. 10 OctLawson finishes fifth in a chaotic Singapore sprint with nine non-finishes.
6. 12 OctSeventh in the Singapore Grand Prix completes his third double-points weekend of 2026.
7. 23 OctHelmut Marko says he opposes Lawson keeping his Racing Bulls seat.
8. 25 OctLawson finishes ninth in Austin as Kimi Antonelli wins the US Grand Prix.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.