Liam Lawson strengthens case to keep Racing Bulls seat after superb Brazilian GP

Liam Lawson has strengthened his case to remain with Racing Bulls for the 2027 Formula 1 season after producing an impressive performance at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The New Zealander qualified fifth in difficult conditions before being promoted to third on the grid following penalties for other drivers. He made an excellent start, moving up to second behind Kimi Antonelli and briefly putting pressure on the race leader.

Lawson eventually finished seventh after a challenging race, with Charles Leclerc's penalty for their late-race collision helping him recover the position. The result extended his points tally to 89, leaving him ninth in the Drivers' Championship and well ahead of team-mate Arvid Lindblad.

His latest performance has increased the pressure on Racing Bulls to retain him, particularly with speculation continuing that Formula 2 contender Nikola Tsolov could take his place.

Lawson's recent form has been particularly impressive. He has scored points in four consecutive races and recovered strongly after being dropped by Red Bull's senior team early in 2025.

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has said the team wants to make the right decision rather than rush the process. An announcement is expected before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for November 19-21.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok has also defended Lawson, arguing that dropping him after his performances this season would be one of the most unjust decisions in the sport.