Liam Lawson is returning to Racing Bulls, the team where he solidified his reputation in Formula 1, before taking the wheel again for Red Bull at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The 24-year-old New Zealand driver had already completed a three-race stint with Red Bull in 2026, substituting for the injured Isack Hadjar. During that period, he scored points twice, finishing seventh in the Netherlands and sixth in Madrid.
Lawson has shown significant progress since his initial experience with Red Bull 18 months ago, when he competed in only two races before being redirected to Racing Bulls. In 2025, he scored points seven times with Racing Bulls, earning him a full contract with the Italian team in 2026.
In 2026, he outperformed his rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad and contributed to Racing Bulls’ best-ever performances, as the team battles for fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Despite Hadjar’s strong season at Red Bull, Lawson seized his opportunity during the replacement period, narrowing the gap to Max Verstappen in qualifying and races despite limited preparation time.
Lawson’s future at Red Bull remains uncertain, particularly depending on Hadjar’s return date, but his return to Racing Bulls ahead of Azerbaijan demonstrates he remains a key part of the Red Bull driver development program.