Nico Rosberg Raises Doubts Over Liam Lawson’s Long-Term Red Bull Future Despite Strong Form

Despite a consistent string of performances in the 2026 Formula 1 season, Liam Lawson’s seat within the Red Bull setup remains precarious, according to 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg.

Lawson delivered another solid result with a sixth-place finish at the newly introduced Madrid circuit during the Spanish Grand Prix, reinforcing his hold on ninth place in the drivers’ championship standings. Stepping up to the senior Red Bull Racing team as an interim replacement for the injured Isack Hadjar, the 24-year-old New Zealander has secured two top-10 finishes across three starts, having previously outperformed his rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls earlier in the campaign.

Rosberg’s Warning on Red Bull’s Driver Philosophy

During Sky Sports UK’s post-race coverage, broadcaster Simon Lazenby and analyst Bernie Collins discussed Lawson’s prospects, suggesting his consistent points haul should grant him job security into 2027 despite pressure from Formula 2 championship frontrunner Nikola Tsolov.

Rosberg offered a far more skeptical assessment, pointing to the ruthless nature of the Red Bull driver development program:

• Championship-Caliber Standard: Rosberg argued that the Milton Keynes operation does not settle for reliable midfield scorers, but instead searches exclusively for generational champions comparable to Sebastian Vettel or Max Verstappen.
• The Ceiling Question: According to Rosberg, Lawson’s steady form may not convince senior management that he possesses the raw upside of a future title winner.
• Youth Pipeline Pressure: The former champion noted that younger prospects like Lindblad and Hadjar are perceived to carry higher potential in internal evaluations.

Uncertainty Heading into Baku

Lawson’s status for the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix remains contingent on Hadjar’s recovery from a wrist injury. Team Principal Laurent Mekies stated that the organization intends to delay the call on Hadjar’s comeback until the latest possible moment, leaving Lawson’s short-term positioning—and long-term 2027 contract security—up in the air.