Isack Hadjar’s Rise to Red Bull Puts Liam Lawson’s Future at Risk

French driver Isack Hadjar is poised for a promotion to the Red Bull Racing team, raising questions about the future of his teammate, New Zealand’s Liam Lawson. The announcement comes after team advisor Helmut Marko expressed confidence in Hadjar, praising his performance during his rookie season in Formula 1. Currently, Hadjar sits in 10th place in the Drivers’ Championship, with a total of 21 points, seven points ahead of Lawson.

Hadjar’s standout moment came at the Dutch Grand Prix, where he achieved a podium finish, securing third place behind Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. Marko highlighted Hadjar’s ability to adapt quickly, stating, “Most of the circuits are new for him and after three laps, he is competitive.” His comments indicate that Hadjar is on track to join Verstappen at Red Bull, but the implications for Lawson and other drivers in the Red Bull junior program are significant.

Lawson’s Uncertain Future

Lawson’s contract status remains unclear as neither he nor fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda has secured a seat for the upcoming season. The competition for positions includes Arvid Linblad, another young talent currently competing in Formula 2. Marko has previously stated that promoting Lawson to Red Bull at the beginning of the 2025 season was a mistake, suggesting that Lawson may need more time to develop.

Despite the pressure, Lawson remains focused on the remaining races of the season. He has three events left to prove himself, beginning with the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend. The Las Vegas circuit features one of the longest straights in Formula 1 at 1.9 km, and teams will need to optimize their downforce and drag settings for the unique challenges presented by the track.

Lawson’s previous performance in Las Vegas was less than stellar; he finished 16th in the 2024 race. However, he is coming off a strong seventh-place finish in Brazil, giving him momentum as he prepares for the upcoming challenge. “The conditions are different to what we usually work with,” Lawson remarked. “It makes for a super interesting race. As a street circuit, the start is often very slippery, so it will be noticeably different from the recent high-grip tracks.”

The Road Ahead

The Las Vegas Grand Prix will test the drivers’ abilities in cooler temperatures, with conditions under 10°C complicating tire selection and wear. The bumps in the track will also play a crucial role in vehicle setup, demanding that teams strike a delicate balance between speed and stability.

As the season draws to a close, Lawson faces immense pressure to deliver performances that could secure his future with the team. With two more rounds left in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, every point earned will be critical in determining his standing within the Red Bull hierarchy.

The decisions to be made by Marko and newly promoted team principal Laurent Mekies will shape the future of the Red Bull Racing lineup. As the spotlight turns to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Lawson to see if he can rise to the occasion in this pivotal moment of his career.