Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Marcus Chan
Liam Lawson is reportedly under pressure to perform at Racing Bulls with a shock name already being lined up by Red Bull.
Heading into the 2025 season, a lot was expected from Lawson after he was chosen as Max Verstappen teammate, replacing the outgoing Sergio Perez.
However, after two dreadful race weekends in Australia and China, the 23-year-old was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.
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As a result, New Zealander Lawson returned to Red Bull's sister team, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, to race alongside fellow rookie Isack Hadjar.
Since returning to the team, Lawson finished 17th in Japan, 16th in Bahrain and 12th in Saudi Arabia.
Ahead of this weekend's Miami Grand Prix, it has been claimed that Lawson and Hadjar are under pressure to perform this season.
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According to formularacers on social media, LastWordOnSports claimed that both Lawson and Hadjar are under pressure to keep their Racing Bulls seat for 2026.
It has been suggested that Red Bull see 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad as a potential F1 talent.
Lindblad, who currently drives in Formula 2 for Campos Racing, made history last weekend when he inherited a sprint race victory in Saudi Arabia.
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The British-Swedish driver became the youngest winner in F2 history after pole-sitter Richard Verschoor was handed a five-second penalty, which demoted him into P2.
After his result in Jeddah, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: "I think Arvid did a good job yesterday, his pace in the second half of the race today was strong as well. He's still very young, he's developing nicely, and there's still a lot of racing in ahead of him in F2."
Meanwhile, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said of Lindblad: "We are looking for a new champion, and I think the next one which looks really promising is Arvid Lindblad. What makes him outstanding is his pure speed."
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Speaking last month, Lindblad recalled the time he saw McLaren driver Lando Norris in 2021.
He told Sky Sports: "It was really just like a spur of the moment. I was talking with my mate at the track, and we saw Lando.
"I said to my mate, 'I'll be racing with him soon in F1' and my friend was like, 'you don't have the guts to tell him' and I wanted to prove him wrong!"
Lindblad added: "So I went straight up to Lando and he was very kind about it. I said, 'it was nice to meet you and see in five years'. I got inspired by Lewis Hamilton telling Ron Dennis [he would join McLaren] and it was a similar kind of vibe, so it was just my friend egging me on!
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"That was at the end of 2021, so hopefully I have a good year in F2 and hopefully I will be in F1 and stick to my word!"