Lawson’s F1 Future Hangs in the Balance Despite Career-Best Performance

The bustle of preparation at Marina Bay Circuit can’t drown out the questions swirling around Liam Lawson’s Formula 1 future. Despite delivering his career-best fifth-place finish in Baku just weeks ago, the 23-year-old New Zealander knows he’s still fighting for his racing life. In a sport where one bad weekend can end careers and one brilliant drive can launch them.

Lawson finds himself caught in that brutal middle ground where talent meets timing. You can see it in his eyes during interviews, that mix of confidence and concern that defines a driver who knows he’s capable but isn’t sure the paddock believes it yet. This isn’t just about racing anymore; it’s about survival in the most competitive motorsport on the planet.

The Long Road Back From Red Bull Heartbreak

Getting dropped by Red Bull after just two races earlier this year wasn’t just a career setback but a soul-crushing reminder of how quickly dreams can evaporate in Formula 1. Imagine spending your entire life working toward something, finally getting your shot, and then having it yanked away before you’ve even had time to prove yourself. That’s the reality Lawson faced, and the fact that he’s still here, still fighting, tells you everything about his character.

The pain was visible during those early races back at Racing Bulls. You could almost feel his frustration through the television screen as he struggled to find his rhythm, knowing that every lap was being scrutinized, every mistake magnified. However, what separates the survivors from the casualties in F1 is… Lawson didn’t crumble under pressure. He regrouped, refocused, and slowly began to show the speed that had initially earned him notice.

That comeback drive in Baku wasn’t just about the points or the position. It was validation that he belongs on this grid, that the speed is real, and that Red Bull might have been too quick to pull the trigger. Fifth place might not sound earth-shattering to casual fans, but in the context of his journey, it was massive.

Racing Against Time and Rookie Sensation Hadjar

The comparison with teammate Isack Hadjar has become unavoidable, and honestly, it’s not entirely fair to Lawson. The French rookie has been making headlines with performances that have the entire paddock talking, including that stunning maiden podium in the Netherlands. When you’re an established driver watching a rookie teammate grab the spotlight, it does something to your confidence that’s hard to explain.

However, the numbers reveal that over the last five races, both drivers have scored exactly 18 points. That’s not just your average fun of the mill luck, that’s consistency from Lawson when it mattered most. While Hadjar might have the higher peak with that podium, Lawson has been quietly doing the job, race after race, proving that experience counts for something in this sport.

The dynamic between them is fascinating to watch. Hadjar drives with that fearless rookie energy that we’ve seen from so many young guns who burst onto the scene. Lawson, meanwhile, is racing like a man who knows exactly what he has to lose. Both approaches have merit, but only one of them might get a seat for next season.

The Championship Battle That Defines Everything

What makes Lawson’s situation even more compelling is how his resurgence coincides with one of the most intense championship fights we’ve seen in years. Every point matters in the constructors’ standings, and Racing Bulls needs both drivers performing at their peak. This isn’t the time for experimentation or development. Ideally, this is when teams need drivers who can deliver under maximum pressure.

Lawson has responded to that pressure beautifully. Three points finishes in the last five races isn’t just good form; it’s the kind of consistency that wins championships and secures futures. In a sport where one mechanical failure or racing incident can destroy months of good work, finding that level of reliability is invaluable.

The irony isn’t lost on anyone that Lawson’s best performances are coming just as the 2025 season winds down. It’s classic Formula 1 timing – show your best when there might not be a tomorrow. But maybe that’s exactly what he needed. Maybe the pressure of potentially losing everything has unlocked a level of performance that was always there, just waiting for the right moment to emerge.

What Lies Ahead for Lawson’s Career

The brutal truth about Formula 1 is that talent alone isn’t enough anymore. Politics, timing, sponsorship, and a dozen other factors play into driver selection. Lawson knows this better than most, having experienced it firsthand during his time at Red Bull. He’s learned that in this sport, you’re only as good as your last race, and your future is always just one bad weekend away from disappearing.

But there’s something different about how he’s approaching these final races of the season. The desperation is gone, replaced by a calm determination that’s much more dangerous for his competitors. When a driver stops worrying about making mistakes and starts focusing purely on extracting performance, that’s when the magic happens.

The paddock is watching closely now. Team principals who might have written off Lawson after his struggles with Red Bull are taking notice of his recent form. In a sport where good drivers are increasingly hard to find, consistency like his doesn’t go unnoticed for long.

Final Thoughts 

Whether it’s enough to secure his future remains the million-dollar question. But one thing’s certain – Liam Lawson isn’t going down without a fight, and that fighting spirit might be exactly what keeps him on the grid when the checkered flag falls on this season.