Liam Lawson’s Formula 1 future has become one of the most intriguing unanswered questions ahead of the 2027 season, but Sky Sports F1 insider Ted Kravitz believes the New Zealander may already know where he stands. Despite delivering an impressive campaign, Lawson remains without a confirmed contract, leaving uncertainty surrounding his place at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
The 24-year-old has accumulated 83 points during the 2026 season and currently occupies ninth position in the Drivers’ Championship. His performances have strengthened his argument for retaining an F1 seat, particularly after he demonstrated his ability to compete against experienced drivers during his time with both Racing Bulls and Red Bull.
However, the uncertainty surrounding his future has become increasingly frustrating, with reports suggesting Formula 2 prospect Nikola Tsolov could emerge as a potential replacement alongside Arvid Lindblad for 2027.
Now, Kravitz’s comments have added another intriguing possibility to the situation: Racing Bulls may already have communicated its decision to Lawson privately.
TED KRAVITZ BELIEVES RACING BULLS MAY HAVE ALREADY MADE ITS DECISION
Speaking during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, Kravitz suggested that Lawson’s own comments about his future contained clues about whether Racing Bulls had already informed him of its intentions.
The Sky Sports F1 reporter was discussing the situation with David Croft, who expressed bewilderment at the fact that Lawson had yet to receive a contract despite his strong performances throughout the season.
Croft questioned why the team would continue leaving a competitive driver waiting until the final stages of the campaign, particularly when opportunities elsewhere in Formula 1 could become increasingly limited.
He also argued that Lawson had done enough to justify retaining his seat.
Kravitz responded by suggesting that Lawson’s remarks indicated the decision might already have been communicated.
His interpretation has fuelled speculation that the New Zealander could already know whether Racing Bulls intends to keep him for 2027, even though no official announcement has been made.
Importantly, Kravitz did not confirm that Lawson had been told he was leaving. His comments were an interpretation of the driver’s statements rather than an official revelation from Racing Bulls.
LIAM LAWSON QUESTIONS WHAT MORE HE MUST DO TO KEEP HIS F1 SEAT
Lawson’s frustration has become increasingly apparent as the season approaches its conclusion.
When asked about his future in Brazil, the Racing Bulls driver admitted that he still did not know where he would be racing next year.
He maintained that he had consistently attempted to deliver his best performances and believed the team had enjoyed a particularly strong campaign.
Lawson also pointed towards Racing Bulls’ competitive progress against Alpine, arguing that the team’s improvement should strengthen his case for remaining in Formula 1.
His comments reflected the difficult position facing drivers whose contracts remain unresolved late in the season.
Lawson said he was unsure what else the team expected him to do, given the results and performances he had produced.
The situation is particularly frustrating because Formula 1 opportunities are limited, and uncertainty can make it difficult for drivers to explore alternative options before other teams finalise their line-ups.
For Lawson, the priority remains securing a seat rather than allowing speculation about his future to overshadow his performances.
83 POINTS AND NINTH PLACE STRENGTHEN LAWSON’S CASE
Lawson’s 2026 campaign provides a substantial argument in favour of retaining him.
With 83 championship points, he has established himself as a competitive midfield driver and currently leads Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad by 45 points.
He is also only 24 points behind Isack Hadjar, who occupies eighth position in the standings.
Those figures underline the consistency Lawson has demonstrated throughout the campaign.
His season has also involved unusual circumstances, including a period with Red Bull after Hadjar’s injury, giving him another opportunity to demonstrate his abilities at the highest level.
That experience could prove valuable when Racing Bulls evaluates its options for the coming season.
However, Formula 1 driver decisions are rarely based exclusively on championship points.
Teams also consider development potential, technical feedback, qualifying performance, consistency, commercial factors and how a driver fits into their longer-term plans.
Lawson’s results make his case compelling, but they do not automatically guarantee a contract.
NIKOLA TSOLOV EMERGES AS A POTENTIAL THREAT TO LAWSON
One of the biggest complications surrounding Lawson’s future is the reported interest in Nikola Tsolov.
The Formula 2 prospect has been linked with a possible Racing Bulls opportunity for 2027, potentially placing him in contention alongside Lindblad.
For Red Bull’s wider driver programme, promoting a young talent could represent an opportunity to invest in the future while maintaining its established pathway from junior categories into Formula 1.
However, replacing Lawson would also carry risks.
The New Zealander has already demonstrated that he can compete in Formula 1, understands the team’s operating environment and has accumulated valuable experience during a demanding season.
A rookie could bring considerable potential, but would also need time to adapt to the technical and competitive demands of the championship.
That creates an important decision for Racing Bulls: prioritise an established driver who has delivered results or invest in a developing talent with a potentially longer future.
The team’s eventual choice could reveal much about how Red Bull intends to manage its junior programme beyond 2026.
MEXICO CITY INCIDENT ADDS ANOTHER COMPLICATION
Lawson’s contact with Max Verstappen during second practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix also attracted attention.
Although the incident occurred during practice rather than a race, it added another talking point during a period when his future was already under scrutiny.
The timing was particularly unfortunate because Lawson was attempting to strengthen his position while discussions about the 2027 line-up continued.
Nevertheless, a single practice incident should not automatically overshadow an entire season of performance.
Lawson’s championship points, consistency and contribution to Racing Bulls remain important factors in any evaluation.
The broader question is whether the Red Bull management considers his overall campaign sufficient to justify another season.
ALAN PERMANE FACES A DIFFICULT DECISION OVER RACING BULLS’ 2027 LINE-UP
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane now finds himself at the centre of a decision that could significantly influence the team’s future.
Croft openly questioned the possibility of releasing Lawson, arguing that the driver had performed at a level that justified retaining him.
His comments reflect a wider debate about how Formula 1 teams evaluate their drivers.
Lawson has delivered points, demonstrated resilience and competed effectively despite uncertainty surrounding his future.
Replacing him would therefore require Racing Bulls to believe that an alternative driver could provide a stronger overall contribution.
Permane must also consider the team’s competitive objectives, its relationship with Red Bull and the development of its younger drivers.
The decision is not simply about rewarding Lawson for his performances. It is about identifying the driver pairing most capable of helping Racing Bulls maintain its progress in 2027.
LIAM LAWSON’S F1 FUTURE COULD BE REVEALED SOON
The growing speculation surrounding Lawson suggests that his future could become one of the major announcements of the final stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Kravitz’s comments have added intrigue because they raise the possibility that the driver already knows more than he has publicly revealed.
However, until Racing Bulls or Lawson confirms the situation, any conclusion about his departure or retention remains speculative.
What is clear is that Lawson believes he has delivered a strong season and wants to continue racing in Formula 1.
His performances have given him a credible argument, but the final decision rests with the team and its wider driver programme.
If Racing Bulls retains Lawson, it would demonstrate confidence in the progress he has made during 2026. If the team chooses another driver, it could leave the New Zealander facing a difficult search for another opportunity.
Either way, the coming announcement could have major consequences for Lawson’s career and the wider Red Bull driver market.
For now, the most intriguing question remains whether Kravitz has correctly interpreted Lawson’s comments—or whether Racing Bulls is still keeping its driver waiting until the final moment.
