Liam Lawson qualifies third at Brazil Grand Prix amid 2027 seat uncertainty

Liam Lawson matched his career-best qualifying performance at the 2026 Brazil Grand Prix, securing a third-place grid start after penalties to drivers ahead of him. The New Zealander initially set the fifth-fastest time in wet conditions at Interlagos, but George Russell and Charles Leclerc received grid penalties that moved Lawson up to the second row. This result gives Racing Bulls a strong chance to extend their lead over Alpine in the fight for fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, speculation persists that Red Bull may promote Formula 2 driver Nikola Tsolov to replace Lawson for the 2027 season, creating significant uncertainty about the Kiwi’s future with the team.

A public challenge in the paddock

Ted Kravitz voiced his confusion directly to Alan Permane while walking through the paddock after qualifying. Kravitz noted that Permane was standing outside the team hospitality in front of a picture of Lawson, who had just qualified P3. "You ignore me, I’m about to say something about your driver choices that you might not want to hear," Kravitz said before raising his voice. He argued that dropping Lawson now is difficult because it leaves the driver with no other immediate options, despite potential seats becoming available for 2028. Kravitz suggested that if the team wants to bring in Tsolov, they should wait until the second half of the season to give Lawson more time.

Arguments against rushing the promotion

Kravitz insisted that even if Tsolov possesses the talent of Max Verstappen, Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton, or Fernando Alonso all combined, there is no harm in giving the young driver another year to cement himself as a reserve. He pointed out that Tsolov is only 20 years old and has already shown impressive speed in FP1 sessions and testing previous cars. "Where’s the harm in giving Tsolov another year just to cement himself?" Kravitz asked, suggesting the junior driver could do interesting racing series and gain experience without rushing into F1. The pundit emphasized that Lawson is currently holding ninth place in the Drivers’ standings by 41 points ahead of Pierre Gasly, making his continued presence valuable for the team’s points tally.

The situation remains tense as Racing Bulls balances its long-term plans with current competitive needs. Kravitz conceded that while he believes the team cannot sack Lawson given his recent form, they technically can and might do so. He highlighted the risk of leaving a driver without options, noting that Williams or other teams could offer opportunities later. For now, the focus stays on the race itself, where Lawson aims to convert his grid position into points. The decision regarding the 2027 lineup will likely hinge on how well both drivers perform in the remaining races, with Tsolov’s development continuing off-track.