Liam Lawson Faces Uncertain F1 Future as Red Bull Backs Rising Star Arvid Lindblad for 2025 Season
Liam Lawson’s 2025 Formula 1 season has taken a dire turn as Red Bull’s leadership publicly shifts focus to 17-year-old prodigy Arvid Lindblad, sparking intense speculation about the Kiwi driver’s future with the team. With Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko and team principal Christian Horner openly praising Lindblad’s potential as the next champion, and Lawson’s Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar outshining him on the track, the pressure is mounting for Lawson to prove his worth—or risk being replaced as early as 2026. As Red Bull eyes a new era amid concerns over Max Verstappen’s potential departure, the question looms: could this be Lawson’s first and last full-time season in F1?
Lawson’s journey in 2025 has been a rollercoaster of disappointment. After a hyped promotion to Red Bull’s senior team to replace Sergio Perez, Lawson was demoted back to Racing Bulls after just two races, a move that made him the shortest-lived driver in the team’s history. Since his return, Lawson has struggled, finishing 17th in Japan, 16th in Bahrain, and 12th in Saudi Arabia, failing to score a single point. In contrast, rookie teammate Isack Hadjar has impressed, securing two points and earning high praise from Marko, who called him “the revelation of this first part of the championship” for his consistent lap times, tire management, and calm demeanor. Hadjar’s recovery from an early blunder in Australia has solidified his standing, while Lawson’s lack of results has left him vulnerable.
Enter Arvid Lindblad, the 17-year-old Formula 2 sensation who became the youngest-ever race winner in the series during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Red Bull sees Lindblad as a potential future star, with Horner lauding his pace and development, saying, “Arvid did a great job… His pace in the second half of the race was strong.” Marko echoed this sentiment, declaring, “We’re looking for a new champion, and I think the next one, which looks really promising, is Arvid Lindblad. What makes him outstanding is his pure speed.” Lindblad’s confidence is equally striking—back in 2021, he boldly told Lando Norris he’d be racing him in F1 within five years, a prediction he’s now on track to fulfill with a potential 2026 debut. The teenager credits Marko’s transparent mentorship for his growth, saying, “I take on board what he says… and try to drive fast and make him happy.”
The stakes for Lawson couldn’t be higher. Red Bull’s history of fast-tracking talent means Lindblad could soon claim a seat, especially with new 2025 regulations requiring teams to field young drivers in at least four practice sessions. Lindblad, who turns 18 in August, is a prime candidate for these opportunities, potentially at Racing Bulls’ expense. Lawson, reflecting on his precarious position, admitted, “I don’t know where my future is… The only way I can control that is by driving fast.” Yet, with no points and mounting pressure, his confidence is wavering, a stark contrast to Lindblad’s fearless ambition and Hadjar’s steady rise.
Red Bull’s driver academy has a mixed legacy—while talents like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon thrived after leaving, the toxic pressure of partnering Verstappen has broken many. Lindblad, aware of the high stakes, embraces the challenge, stating, “If you want to be in Formula 1, you have to perform. You have to win.” As Red Bull positions itself for a post-Verstappen era, Lawson’s lackluster season could see him sidelined, while Lindblad’s meteoric rise threatens to reshape the team’s future. Will Lawson find a way to turn his season around, or will Lindblad’s arrival mark the end of his Red Bull journey? The F1 world waits with bated breath as this high-stakes drama unfolds.
