Formula 1: Liam Lawson to wait on future as Red Bull delay 2026 drivers decision

Liam Lawson will continue to wait to learn his future in Formula One, after Red Bull pushed back confirmation of its 2026 line-ups.

At the start of September, Red Bull senior adviser Dr Helmut Marko confirmed a decision over the organisation’s line-ups across both of its teams - including sister outfit Racing Bulls - would be made by the end of October.

Last week, as the Formula One paddock arrived in Mexico, Monday’s race loomed as the final available opportunity to meet that deadline, considering the next race isn’t until the start of November, in Brazil.

With three drivers - Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar - currently unsigned for 2026, Mexico stood as the final chance for the trio to impress Red Bull, and earn the chance to partner Max Verstappen next year.

However, Verstappen has emerged as an outsider to beat the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to the drivers’ title, and win a fifth championship in succession, Red Bull have delayed the decision to prioritise the Dutchman, Marko confirmed.

“We discussed it internally and have come to the conclusion that we are fully focused on the title fight,” Marko told Austrian outlet Servus TV.

“It’s a surprise that it’s become so exciting. We’ve postponed the driver selection until after [Qatar] or Abu Dhabi.”

Given his superior results, it is expected Hadjar will be promoted to Red Bull in 2026, after a standout rookie season with Racing Bulls. The 20-year-old has scored 39 points to sit 10th in the championship, including a maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.

And with Red Bull also understood to be eager to promote junior driver Arvid Lindblad from Formula Two, that - in theory - leaves Lawson and Tsunoda battling to secure the final seat.

Despite spending most of the season in an inferior car, Lawson holds a two-point advantage over Tsunoda after Mexico.

Lawson is understood to have an upper hand over Tsunoda - who is linked to engine supplier Honda, who leave Red Bull to join Aston Martin next year.

Last week’s United States Grand Prix in Austin also saw Lawson complete promotional work for Ford, who make Red Bull’s engines from 2026.

Speaking at the start of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, Lawson said he believed he had done enough to keep his seat in 2026.

And while Tsunoda’s results have taken an upward turn - notably finishing seventh in the sprint and grand prix in Austin - he still finished that race more than 50 seconds behind Verstappen.

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.