Liam Lawson's future in Formula 1 is uncertain as Red Bull considers replacing him with junior driver Tsolov for 2027.
What's behind the rumors?
Red Bull's junior team, Racing Bulls, is seen as a development pathway for drivers to step into the senior ranks, and Lawson's place will come under scrutiny if Red Bull have ruled him out of returning to their ranks in the future.
Lawson currently sits 10th in the drivers standings with 28 points, having scored in five grands prix and one sprint, 15 points clear of junior teammate Arvid Lindblad.
How does Tsolov fit into the picture?
Tsolov does not currently hold an FIA super licence required to drive in Formula One, with 25 points, shy of the 40 needed to acquire a super licence in time for next year.
The Bulgarian would need to finish fifth or higher in this season's Formula Two championship to obtain it.
What's at stake for Lawson?
Lawson was promoted from Racing Bulls to Red Bull at the end of 2024, only to be dropped just two races into 2025, and has since rebuilt back at Racing Bulls.
He was overlooked in favour of Isack Hadjar to be re-promoted for this season, with Hadjar's results being far from convincing since his move up.
Lawson's current form, with 28 points, sees him 15 points clear of Lindblad and only behind Alpine's Pierre Gasly in eighth among drivers outside of Formula One's top four teams.
What comes next for Red Bull?
Red Bull deciding its driver lineups for Racing Bulls this early in the year would be out of character for the organisation, with driver pairings for both teams not being finalised until the final weeks of the season in the past two years.
Verstappen's future also remains unclear, with it widely understood that he can leave Red Bull if he sits outside the top two in the drivers standings at the mid-season summer break, currently 60 points adrift of second place after Barcelona.