‘Struggling’ F1 driver now told he could lose his current seat before the end of the season

The Formula 1 driver market has been frenetic over the past 12 months, with a host of movements over the winter break and two seat swaps already this season.

Liam Lawson lost his seat at Red Bull to Yuki Tsunoda after just two race weekends, with the young Kiwi returning to Racing Bulls.

Four races later, Alpine dropped Jack Doohan to hand Franco Colapinto his second Formula 1 debut.

Flavio Briatore has hit out at rumours that Colapinto could be replaced, but the Argentine is yet to score a point since his return to the grid.

Lawson and Tsunoda have equally had a tough time at their respective teams since their swap, although Red Bull have seen glimmers of hope from Tsunoda that he could live up to expectations soon.

Colapinto, Lawson and Tsunoda are among the group of drivers who haven’t signed a contract for the 2026 season yet.

George Russell leads the list of potential free agents in 2026, but journalist Edd Straw suspects one of this group may not make it until the end of the current campaign.

He believes Lawson could be in trouble, particularly as Red Bull are lining up Arvid Lindblad for an imminent F1 promotion.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

Liam Lawson could be replaced by Arvid Lindblad ‘before the end of the season’

Straw was talking on The Race’s Patreon about the Canadian Grand Prix and asked about Lawson’s future.

He explained: “Lawson’s been funny because there are points where you look at him and he’s showing good pace and you think he’s going to qualify well.

“He has had some decent performances, but it’s kind of been decent at best and disappointing at worst.

“Qualifying just got away from him. Hadjar’s had him covered, so I feel there’s more in Lawson. I feel a little bit of sympathy for him, but I think the problem Lawson’s got fundamentally is in this company; he is one of the weaker drivers.

“And he is a very capable performer, but with that depth of field, he is struggling a little bit.

“He’s got more time, I suspect he’s got until the August break, certainly, which I must admit that’s coming quite soon, the races are counting down, but I suspect Lindblad will be in there before too long, I think it could happen before the end of the season.

“I’ve not actually spoken to anyone at Red Bull about the plan there, but I know exactly how Red Bull work and if they come to the point where they think Lawson has plateaued, he’s not doing the job, he’s not scoring enough points, he’s not contributing, then they will decide to make the change.

“I’d say Lawson is still in with a fighting chance, it’s not a foregone conclusion, and I think there’s a little bit more in him.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad including his parents

Red Bull star Arvid Lindblad earns FIA superlicense before his 18th birthday

Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, it was announced that Lindblad had been granted a special exemption that would allow him to race in Formula 1 before his 18th birthday.

Max Verstappen is the only driver to accomplish that feat in F1 history, and while Red Bull aren’t suggesting a swap is imminent, it’s unlikely that Christian Horner and Helmut Marko took this decision for no reason.

Horner is a big fan of Lindblad, and the 17-year-old has established himself as one of the favourites for the Formula 2 title during his maiden campaign.

Lawson has been overshadowed by Isack Hadjar since his demotion, and while Tsunoda’s future looks far from certain at Red Bull, the New Zealander is the most logical driver to drop if the Anglo-Austrian team want to make room for one of their youngsters.

Asked by the media, via GPBlog, about being awarded a superlicense, Lindblad said: I’m very sort of thankful and very proud to be awarded the superlicense and to have the opportunity to participate in Formula 1 sessions.

“Whether that will happen or not, I don’t know.”