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Lawson scores points again as he awaits 2027 seat decision
Liam Lawson finished seventh at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, reinforcing his standing as one of Formula One’s most consistent midfield drivers. But despite a strong season, he is still waiting to learn whether Racing Bulls will give him a seat next year, with the decision resting with team boss Alan Permane.
Lawson briefly ran second in the wet-to-dry race at Interlagos after passing eventual winner Lando Norris, before the faster cars moved ahead. His seventh place earned six points, and he has scored in 15 of his 20 Grands Prix this season, a record bettered only by six leading drivers. His future remains uncertain following his earlier demotion from Red Bull and questions about his judgement, while 19-year-old junior driver Nikola Tsolov has been linked with a 2027 seat.
In short
- Lawson finished seventh in Brazil and earned six points.
- He has scored in 15 of 20 Grands Prix this season.
- Racing Bulls have yet to confirm his seat for next year.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Lawson’s results make a strong case for keeping him: scoring in 15 of 20 races shows reliability, and his run to second in difficult conditions at Interlagos demonstrated racecraft. Retaining an experienced, consistent driver could give Racing Bulls stability and reward performance, while bringing in a junior would carry greater uncertainty.
The case against
Racing Bulls could reasonably decide that a seat should go to a driver with greater long-term potential, particularly if it sees Nikola Tsolov as ready for the opportunity. Lawson’s earlier demotion and questions about his judgement may also leave the team unconvinced that his current consistency is enough to justify another season over investing in a younger prospect.
Explained simply
Formula One teams run two cars in each race, with points going to drivers who finish in the top ten. Racing Bulls is part of the Red Bull group and competes in the midfield, behind the teams that regularly fight for wins.
A driver’s place in the team can depend on results, development and the team’s plans for its other drivers. Lawson previously moved from Red Bull to Racing Bulls, and the team’s decision about its 2027 line-up will affect whether he can continue racing in Formula One.