Lawson Returns to Racing Bulls as Red Bull Confirms Hadjar

Liam Lawson has returned to Racing Bulls for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after substituting for the injured Isack Hadjar in three races, while Red Bull has confirmed Hadjar will partner Max Verstappen in 2027. Lawson’s longer-term place in the team’s driver lineup remains unresolved, and Red Bull has yet to decide what programme it will assign academy driver Nikola Tsolov next year. Lawson scored 14 points during his Red Bull stint, finishing seventh in the Netherlands, 14th in Italy and sixth in Spain. Hadjar’s recovery from a wrist injury cleared the way for him to return to the senior team in Baku and for Lawson to resume driving the Racing Bulls car. The 2027 lineup announcement, made in Baku on Wednesday, settled Red Bull’s senior-team pairing. Lawson said he had not expected the three-race substitute run to change his prospects for next season. He described the Red Bull races as challenging and said his immediate focus was returning to his usual car and continuing his points-scoring form. Lawson said contract discussions were ongoing and that he hoped they would conclude over the next few races.