Liam Lawson’s F1 Future Hangs in Balance as Red Bull Eyes Arvid Lindblad
The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a brutal rollercoaster for Liam Lawson, and the latest revelations from Red Bull’s Helmut Marko have cast a dark shadow over the New Zealander’s future in the sport. After a fleeting two-race stint with Red Bull’s senior team, Lawson was demoted back to Racing Bulls, where his struggles have only deepened. With zero points to his name and teammate Isack Hadjar outshining him, Lawson’s seat is under threat from rising star Arvid Lindblad. Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya’s stark warning—that Lawson could be replaced mid-season—has amplified the pressure, while Marko’s praise for Lindblad signals a potential changing of the guard. As Red Bull’s ruthless driver program looms, Lawson faces a critical fight to salvage his F1 career.
Lawson’s 2025 began with high hopes, stepping into the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen. However, his tenure lasted just two races—Australia and China—marked by Q1 exits, a crash, and no points. Red Bull, citing the RB21’s challenging dynamics and Lawson’s shaken confidence, swapped him with Yuki Tsunoda, whose experience was deemed vital for car development. Back at Racing Bulls, Lawson was expected to rebuild, much like Pierre Gasly did after his 2019 Red Bull demotion. Yet, the Kiwi has faltered, overshadowed by rookie Hadjar’s five-point haul. Posts on X echo the sentiment, with fans dubbing Lawson “007” for his zero points and mounting penalty points.
Montoya, never one to mince words, told AS that Lawson’s lackluster form could pave the way for Lindblad, a 17-year-old F2 prodigy who has captured Red Bull’s attention. “If Liam doesn’t improve, I wouldn’t be surprised if they put Lindblad in,” Montoya said, pointing to the psychological toll of Lawson’s Red Bull rejection. He likened Red Bull’s cutthroat approach to Alpine’s handling of Franco Colapinto, where underperforming drivers face swift replacement. Marko’s comments fuel this narrative, as he hailed Lindblad as a potential “new champion” on the Inside Line F1 podcast, emphasizing plans to give the Briton extensive F1 testing—opportunities Lawson and Hadjar lacked.
Lindblad’s meteoric rise adds urgency to Lawson’s plight. The youngest driver to win an F2 race, Lindblad is already super license-eligible and has impressed Red Bull’s brass, including Christian Horner. Marko’s vision for 2026 sees Lindblad as a prime candidate for F1, potentially at Racing Bulls if Lawson or Hadjar falter. Meanwhile, Hadjar’s resilience—scoring points despite an early-season crash—has earned Marko’s admiration, further isolating Lawson. The Frenchman’s ability to manage tires and deliver consistent lap time contrasts sharply with Lawson’s struggles, raising questions about the Kiwi’s adaptability.
Red Bull’s history of swift driver changes—Gasly, Alex Albon, and now Lawson—underscores the precariousness of Lawson’s position. With the European races looming, Lawson needs a breakthrough to silence doubters. A single points finish could buy time, but mistakes like his Miami sprint clash with Fernando Alonso have drawn scrutiny. Marko’s lack of regret over Lawson’s demotion, coupled with Tsunoda’s solid Red Bull performances, dims hopes of a senior team return.
As Lindblad’s shadow grows, Lawson’s F1 dreams teeter on the edge. Red Bull’s focus on nurturing its next champion leaves little room for sentimentality. Will Lawson channel his DTM experience and claw back his form, or will Lindblad’s ascent mark the end of his F1 journey? The 2025 season is shaping up as a make-or-break moment for Lawson, and the clock is ticking.
