F1 Insider Names One Driver Liam Lawson Should Replace after 2027 Season

New Zealand driving sensation Liam Lawson has secured a contract extension with Racing Bulls for 2027 after an impressive campaign. Currently ninth in the drivers’ standings, he has consistently proven himself to be the strongest performer outside the top four teams, having scored 75 of his 89 points with Racing Bulls this season.

That accounts for 66 per cent of the team’s 114-point tally, while his personal points haul would even place him fifth in the constructors’ standings. However, despite eventually putting pen to paper, Lawson’s future has been the subject of months of speculation, with the real reason behind Racing Bulls’ delay in committing to him now coming to light.

Several alternative candidates were reportedly considered for his seat, and some F1 insiders are already suggesting that Lawson could become a target for rival teams once the 2027 season draws to a close.

Nikola Tsolov, meanwhile, is waiting in the wings for his chance to secure an F1 seat. Racing Bulls’ primary purpose is to provide a pathway for Red Bull’s junior drivers, and with Lawson now 24 and seemingly facing an uphill battle to earn a promotion to the senior team, he could be forced to look elsewhere for 2028.

That could leave the door open for Tsolov to step up, while also putting other drivers on the grid on notice that their seats may not be as secure as they think.

F1 Insider Warns Driver That Liam Lawson Could Soon Rival Him For Seat

Jakub Porzycki via Reuters

Ralf Schumacher says Oscar Piastri is no longer seen as a ‘future world champion’ by McLaren’s rivals. His stock has fallen since 2025, when he led the championship for more than half of the season before slipping to P3.

If his performances do not improve in 2027, Guenther Steiner says Zak Brown will start to look for his replacement. Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, he tipped Lawson as a potential option.

The Australian driver, 25, has been struggling under the new regulations. In 2026, he has scored just two podiums – the last coming in Miami back in May – and he sits seventh in the standings, 94 points behind McLaren teammate, Lando Norris.

The gap between the two McLaren drivers is becoming quite noticeable, and it could spell bad news for Piastri if his results do not pick up, with Norris having won three races this season.

Other Drivers McLaren Could Replace Piastri With

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Audi could be an option for Lawson, but if Piastri is replaced at McLaren, the New Zealander could be an eye-opening candidate to consider, given his form under the new regulations.

Speaking about other drivers, Steiner thinks Haas’ Oliver Bearman will also be available in 2028, as he will not want to wait around any longer for a Ferrari seat.

Asked where Piastri would go if he left McLaren, Steiner pointed him towards Audi, who are aiming to win the F1 title by 2030.

He said: “Audi, I think they will make some changes. I think if they keep on developing that way, they need young guys, and I think Nico [Hulkenberg] is almost 40. At some stage he will call it quits as well.”

“So I think there is Audi. If Oscar is not performing at McLaren, I think in ’28, there are a few opportunities.”