The Racing Bulls have reached the final stretch of the 2026 campaign with a solid fifth place in the constructors’ championship. Two of their drivers, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have consistently harvested points, contributing 69 and 38 points respectively. Their combined efforts helped the team to out-perform every rival except the top three. As the season draws to a close, the Italian squad is turning its attention to the 2027 driver lineup a decision that will shape its competitive outlook for years to come.
2026 season results give a solid foundation
Lawson, a New Zealander who also spent a brief stint substituting for Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, proved his speed by notching four top-ten finishes and a podium-type run in the middle of the year. Lindblad, a rookie from Sweden, showed impressive growth, steadily climbing the midfield and registering two points-scoring finishes. Their performances have kept the Racing Bulls within striking distance of the upper-midfield pack, and the team’s engineers praised the duo’s ability to extract maximum performance from a chassis that has been described as “one of the most consistent” on the grid.
Three candidates compete for two seats
While Lawson and Lindblad appear to have earned their places, the team cannot ignore the rising talent of Nikola Tsolov. The 19-year-old Bulgarian has been a standout in the Formula 2 championship, currently sitting second in the drivers’ standings and already on the radar of Red Bull’s senior management. After a brief testing appearance at Imola, where he piloted a former RB8, Tsolov demonstrated a blend of raw pace and technical feedback that impressed the Bulls’ technical staff. The dilemma, as described by team principal Alan Permane is that “three doesn’t fit into two”, forcing a choice between proven point-scorers and a promising junior with a possible long-term payoff.
How the team will pick the final pair
Permane addressed the media ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, emphasizing that the decision would not be rushed. “We’re in no hurry,” he said, “we have two fantastic drivers and a fantastic driver in F2 ready to go.” He added that speed and pace remain the top criteria, but stressed that the team also looks at “what they can do in the future”. This reflects the Bulls’ historic role as a development hub for Red Bull-affiliated talent, where several recent Red Bull drivers first proved themselves with the sister team before earning promotion.
The selection process will weigh several factors: raw lap times, consistency under pressure, ability to develop the car, and the strategic value of nurturing a junior who could become a future Red Bull star. The management has also hinted at contract considerations, such as the length of existing deals with Lawson and Lindblad, and the potential of a multi-year programme for Tsolov should he be offered a race seat.
Fans and pundits alike are speculating about the outcome. Some argue that Lawson’s experience and proven points-scoring ability make him the safest bet for the second seat, while others contend that Lindblad’s upward trajectory deserves a reward. Meanwhile, Tsolov’s rising profile and his status as a Red Bull junior add a layer of political complexity that could tip the scales if the Bulls wish to strengthen ties with the senior team.
Regardless of the final choice, Permane reassured stakeholders that the “right pairing” will emerge from a careful assessment over the next few weeks. The decision will be announced before the season-opening test in February, giving the selected drivers ample time to integrate with the car and the engineering crew. In the high-stakes world of Formula 1 the balance between immediate performance and long-term talent development remains a delicate but essential equation for any team aspiring to move up the grid.
