Who Could Replace Liam Lawson At Racing Bulls If He Gets Sacked In 2026

Speculation is mounting around Racing Bulls’ future driver lineup as Liam Lawson ’s position in the team comes under scrutiny and him being potentially sacked this year. With inconsistent results and heightened expectations from the Red Bull parent team, the possibility of Lawson being sacked and replaced has prompted intense discussion about who among the Red Bull Junior Team could step up in 2026.



Racing Bulls’ decision will not only hinge on raw talent but also on experience, adaptability to Formula 1 machinery, and proven performance under pressure.



Liam Lawson’s F1 Performance







The Red Bull Junior Team boasts several promising drivers who could be considered for the coveted seat if Lawson were to depart.



Nikola Tsolov: Bulgaria’s Rising Star And F2 Prodigy



Nikola Tsolov , the 19-year-old Bulgarian sensation, is widely regarded as the frontrunner among Red Bull Junior prospects. Tsolov made an impressive debut in Formula 2 at the end of 2025, securing a podium in Abu Dhabi in his very first F2 race.



Tsolov’s 2025 season in Formula 3 was nothing short of spectacular. Driving for Campos Racing, he finished as Vice-Champion in the championship, securing two race victories and six podiums overall. Highlights of his season include a dominant Feature Race win in Monaco, multiple podiums at Spa, Silverstone, and Barcelona, and consistent top finishes across the European circuits.



His karting and single-seater pedigree are equally impressive. Tsolov began competitive karting in Bulgaria, later moving to Italian championships where he won the WSK Open Cup in the 60 Mini class in 2019. His career progressed through Fernando Alonso’s karting team before moving into Formula 4 UAE and the Spanish F4 Championship, where he claimed a record-breaking title with 13 wins in 2022.



Tsolov’s strong debut in F2, combined with his history of podium finishes and victories, makes him arguably the most prepared candidate to replace Lawson in a Formula 1 seat. His ability to adapt quickly to higher-powered machinery and deliver results under pressure is a key factor that Racing Bulls will likely weigh heavily.



Potential Advantages:




Proven winner in Formula 3 and Spanish F4.



Podium in first-ever Formula 2 race.



Rapid adaptability to higher-level machinery.




Potential Challenges:




Limited full-season experience in F2.



Adjustment to Formula 1 car dynamics and team strategies.




Mattia Colnaghi: Italian Talent In Formula 3



Mattia Colnaghi, an Italian driver competing in Formula 3, represents a potential but riskier option. Colnaghi has shown flashes of speed in F3, often competing in midfield battles and occasionally challenging for podiums. His experience in a highly competitive European F3 grid demonstrates technical ability and racecraft, though he has yet to match Tsolov’s consistency.



For Racing Bulls, Colnaghi would be a development driver choice, offering promise for future campaigns but requiring time to mature. He may be more suitable as a reserve or testing driver before stepping into a full Formula 1 role.



Potential Advantages:




Steady progress in Formula 3.



Familiarity with European circuits and F3 machinery.




Potential Challenges:




Limited race wins and podiums.



Needs further experience at higher single-seater levels.




Fionn McLaughlin: Ireland’s Emerging F3 Contender



Fionn McLaughlin, hailing from Ireland, has been competing in Formula 3 and steadily improving. McLaughlin’s strengths lie in race consistency and defensive driving, which could benefit Racing Bulls in terms of strategic race finishes. However, he lacks the headline-grabbing victories that Tsolov has accumulated and may be considered a longer-term prospect rather than an immediate replacement for Lawson.



Potential Advantages:




Consistent race finishes and points accumulation.



Strong defensive skills in competitive F3 races.




Potential Challenges:




Limited top-tier victories.



Requires further development to match F1 pace.




Ernesto Rivera: Mexico’s F3 And Eurocup 3 Representative



Ernesto Rivera brings international experience to the table, having raced in Formula 3 and Eurocup 3. Rivera has demonstrated competitive speed but has not yet achieved the level of podium consistency necessary to take on a Formula 1 role immediately. He may be better suited to endurance testing and simulator work before being considered for an F1 debut.



Potential Advantages:




Exposure to multiple junior categories.



International racing experience.




Potential Challenges:




Inconsistent results.



Less experience in high-pressure championship battles.




Enzo Tarnvanichkul: Thailand’s Formula Racing Prospect



Enzo Tarnvanichkul is another intriguing candidate from Thailand, currently racing in Formula Racing. Tarnvanichkul has shown flashes of raw speed and racecraft but has yet to consistently perform at the highest level of junior categories. As such, he would likely need additional seasons of development before being considered a viable replacement for Lawson.



Potential Advantages:




Promising raw speed and technical skills.



Exposure to competitive junior formula environments.




Potential Challenges:




Lack of consistent top finishes.



Inexperience in international Formula 3 and F2 levels.




Assessing The Best Fit For Racing Bulls



Among all Red Bull Junior Team drivers, Nikola Tsolov stands out as the most capable and prepared candidate to replace Liam Lawson in 2026. His podiums in F2, consistent victories in F3, and record-breaking performances make him the driver most ready for the pressures of Formula 1 racing.



Other junior drivers such as Mattia Colnaghi, Fionn McLaughlin, Ernesto Rivera, and Enzo Tarnvanichkul have potential, but each comes with limitations that may make them more suitable as long-term development drivers rather than immediate F1 race candidates.



Key Takeaways:




Nikola Tsolov has proven results and adaptability for immediate F1 promotion.



Mattia Colnaghi offers developmental promise but lacks F2-level experience.



Fionn McLaughlin is consistent but has limited headline results.



Ernesto Rivera brings international exposure but inconsistent finishes.



Enzo Tarnvanichkul shows raw speed but requires further experience.




Racing Bulls’ decision will ultimately balance the need for immediate performance with the strategic development of their junior talent. Given his record and recent F2 podium, Nikola Tsolov appears to be the front-runner to step into the spotlight should Liam Lawson depart.
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