Liam Lawson: Too Early for 2027 Contract Talk Despite Steady Start

Liam Lawson says it's too early to discuss a new contract for 2027, despite being in his second full Formula 1 season with Racing Bulls. Asked during media day ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24-year-old emphasized his focus on maintaining consistency rather than future plans.

Why it matters:

Lawson's situation highlights the constant pressure within the Red Bull driver program, where performance dictates career moves. After a turbulent 2025 that saw him demoted from Red Bull and then return to Racing Bulls, securing a long-term seat is crucial for his F1 future.

The details:

• Lawson was asked about his 2027 prospects and replied: "It's definitely early at the moment to talk about it. I'm just focused on trying to keep the consistency we've had from the first part of the year."
• When pushed on whether he'd prefer clarity sooner, he laughed and said: "If it were my decision, I'd sign something right now for next year, but it depends on a lot of things."
• He currently sits 10th in the drivers' standings with 16 points after five rounds, having scored in three grands prix and the China sprint.
• Lawson leads the head-to-head against rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad in qualifying (3-2), race finishes (3-2), and sprint results (2-1). Only sprint qualifying goes Lindblad's way.
• Reflecting on the season, Lawson called it "steady rather than spectacular" but encouraging as he adapts to the current machinery.
• Red Bull's junior pipeline remains active: Nikola Tsolov (F2, third in standings), Fionn McLaughlin and Mattia Colnaghi (F3), plus Ernesto Rivera making his F3 debut this weekend.

What's next:

This weekend's Monaco Grand Prix is a highlight for Lawson, who scored his first F1 points there in 2025 with an eighth-place finish. He became the first New Zealander to score in Monaco since Denny Hulme in 1973.

"The intensity here is so high. The concentration you have to have... It's an amazing feeling when you're on the limit," Lawson said. While contract talks can wait, another strong result in Monaco would strengthen his case for 2027 and beyond.