Former Haas boss backs Racing Bulls to give Lawson more time, despite Hadjar and Lindblad hype
The Formula 1 driver market never sleeps—especially not when Red Bull’s junior programme is involved. And while the headlines are currently dominated by the rise of Isack Hadjar and teenage sensation Arvid Lindblad, there’s one man Guenther Steiner believes should not be forgotten: Liam Lawson.
Lawson, just 23, finds himself in a peculiar position. After briefly stepping in for AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2023 and impressing many with his cool head and adaptability, he was finally handed a full-time Red Bull contract following Sergio Perez’s exit. But just two races into the 2025 season, the New Zealander was shuffled out of the main team setup in favour of Yuki Tsunoda, who was promoted back from Racing Bulls.
It’s a decision that’s left more questions than answers—not least for Steiner, who believes Red Bull could be making a serious miscalculation by not giving Lawson a fairer chance to prove himself.
Lawson sidelined as Tsunoda returns and Hadjar impresses
Red Bull’s decision to recall Yuki Tsunoda to the senior team has caused ripples throughout the F1 paddock. While Tsunoda has matured significantly since his rookie season and continues to show glimpses of top-tier speed, it came at the cost of Lawson’s seat after just two Grand Prix appearances.
To make matters more complicated for Lawson, his early-season performances were overshadowed by the rapid adaptation of Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls’ rookie driver who has wasted no time in making an impression. Not only has Hadjar shown strong one-lap pace, but he’s also managed to go wheel-to-wheel with more experienced rivals with confidence.
Hadjar’s rise has sparked talk that he could be the one to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026, especially if Tsunoda doesn’t cement his spot. But Steiner, speaking on the Red Flags podcast, suggests Red Bull would be wise to slow things down.
Steiner: Lawson deserves stability and a second year
“I think they want to bring some peace to the team,” Steiner explained, referring to Racing Bulls’ current dynamic. “Yes, Hadjar can move to Red Bull. But if Yuki can’t do well, that’ll be the test for him. I don’t think Yuki will come back to the Racing Bulls—he’ll either stay with Red Bull, go to another team, or go home.”
In Steiner’s view, the ideal scenario would be to keep both Hadjar and Lawson at Racing Bulls for the remainder of this season and beyond. That stability, he argues, is what both the drivers and the team need.
“I think he [Lawson] should stay the way he is. I don’t think they’ll let Liam go after what happened at the beginning of the season,” Steiner continued. “They’ll give him a second year with the Racing Bulls and then they will decide what to do.”
It’s a message rooted in the long game—something Steiner, known for his no-nonsense style and years at the helm of Haas, has consistently championed. For him, shuffling drivers too quickly can do more harm than good.
The Lindblad effect: A future star, but no need to rush
Adding another twist to the tale is the emergence of Arvid Lindblad, the 17-year-old British-Thai driver who stunned the F2 grid by winning in Jeddah in just his first season. Naturally, the buzz around Lindblad has been deafening, with whispers already circulating that he could be Red Bull’s next golden boy.
But Steiner urges caution before anointing the teenager as the sport’s next great hope.
“Lindblad is very young,” he said bluntly. “We shouldn’t immediately assume that he’s going to be the next F1 world champion just because he won his first F2 race.”
It’s a valid point. While Red Bull has made a name for itself by fast-tracking talent—think Verstappen, Vettel, or even Ricciardo—the risks of promoting drivers too early are also well-documented. F1 is littered with stories of potential stars who were handed a seat before they were truly ready, only to fade into obscurity.
Red Bull’s balancing act: A high-stakes talent puzzle
As it stands, Red Bull are juggling one of the most enviable but delicate situations in modern motorsport: a talent pool overflowing with promise, yet limited race seats. Max Verstappen’s place is as secure as any in the sport, but the seat alongside him remains fluid. With Perez out, Tsunoda back in, Hadjar rising, Lawson waiting, and Lindblad looming—the decisions being made now could shape the team’s future for years.
And Steiner’s words offer a timely reminder of what’s at stake.
He’s not dismissing Hadjar’s potential. Quite the opposite—he sees the young Frenchman as a likely Red Bull contender in 2026. But he’s also wary of the sport’s tendency to chew up and spit out promising drivers when things don’t click immediately. In Lawson’s case, two races simply aren’t enough to judge a career.
Final thoughts: Patience could be the key for Red Bull
In an era where instant impact is often mistaken for long-term promise, Liam Lawson deserves a little more time to show what he’s capable of. Yes, Hadjar is flying. Yes, Lindblad is thrilling. But Red Bull have always prided themselves on spotting talent early and nurturing it with conviction.
Lawson showed grit, composure, and no shortage of speed during his cameo in 2023. If Racing Bulls—and by extension, Red Bull—want to maximise their investment in talent, giving Lawson a full second season might just be the wisest move.
Because sometimes, the best stories in F1 aren’t the ones written overnight. They’re the ones that build over time—with patience, belief, and a little bit of trust.
