Racing Bulls 2027 line-up unresolved as BBC F1 Q&A previews United States Grand Prix in Austin
BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answered readers’ questions ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, where Kimi Antonelli has his first opportunity to secure the 2026 drivers’ championship. Antonelli must win the race with Mercedes team-mate George Russell finishing ninth or lower and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton fifth or lower.
Antonelli’s chance comes as Austin serves as the first of six races scheduled to take place between now and the end of the season in December. Liam Lawson sits ninth in the drivers' championship with 75 points, while Racing Bulls team-mate Arvid Lindblad is 11th with 38 points.
Racing Bulls are one of only two teams whose 2027 driver line-ups are not finalised, the other being Haas where Oliver Bearman has not yet been confirmed alongside new signing Rafael Camara. At Racing Bulls the choice effectively involves three drivers for two seats: incumbent race drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad plus Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, who is second in the Formula 2 championship at the moment. This is the first time in Red Bull history that Helmut Marko is not in charge of driver choice at the junior team, and the approach under the new management has yet to be clarified.
Benson set out the contrasting arguments being made internally at Red Bull: historically, Marko and former team boss Christian Horner adopted a ruthless policy of giving drivers a short window to deliver before dropping them, but some advocate a more patient, methodical route now. One practical option argued for is retaining Lawson and Lindblad together for 2027 while making Tsolov the reserve, giving him simulator time and tests in older cars to build F1 experience. The piece states that Lawson is currently consistently quicker in qualifying and races, while Lindblad's debut season has been "impressive in patches," so an extra season could test whether Lindblad can regularly beat Lawson for consideration as a future senior-team candidate.
No decision on the Racing Bulls line-up has been taken and, Benson writes, the ultimate authority rests with shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff in overall charge of the F1 programme.
On the question of F1 racing in Rwanda, Benson notes Liberty Media has sought an African race since taking over the sport in 2017 and that a Rwandan event would give F1 a presence on every inhabited continent. Several bids were considered during the search: a Moroccan project near Tangier lacked finance, a return to Kyalami in South Africa was close at one point but hampered by promoter issues, and there are currently as many as four separate projects in South Africa, including Kyalami and two in Cape Town, which Benson says are too far from realistic.
Benson sets out the political objections from the region: he reports that the Democratic Republic of Congo has brought a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Rwanda of breaching multiple international treaties and that DR Congo's Minister of Foreign Affairs Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said last week she opposed Rwanda hosting the race, accusing Rwanda President Paul Kagame of "fuelling a devastating war in our country" and noting accusations of exploitation of Congolese resources. The article adds that the US has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's military and senior officials because of their involvement in supporting the M23 rebel group in the DRC. Benson quotes Kayikwamba Wagner directly: "This is also an opportunity for F1 to show its audiences and supporters what the sport truly stands for. It should require credible, independent guarantees that no money used to host the race comes from conflict-linked minerals or the exploitation of Congolese resources." An F1 spokesperson is quoted as saying: "We have a long track record of delivering significant economic, social and cultural value to our host nations. 'Through this race we have the opportunity to inspire and bring the passion of F1 to our more than 100 million fans across Africa and firmly believe that sport can be a positive force for good. 'When racing around the world we ensure the exceptional standards, values and integrity of the sport are shared and delivered by both promoters and partners. 'As we've seen, sport can be a huge driver of change and unifying force and look forward to the positive impact that the African Grand Prix will have.'"
Imola is being readied as a potential fallback host for the final grand prix of the season on 4-6 December if the scheduled races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot be held, Benson reports. F1 is proceeding with the Middle Eastern events after receiving what it considers suitable security guarantees and has been advised there have been no attacks on civilian infrastructure in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates since May, but the sport is preparing for the possibility of escalation after the US mid-term elections on 3 November. Benson outlines the security concerns that inform the contingency planning, including ongoing regional conflicts and the risk of missiles reaching locations tied to the final grands prix; he adds that F1 has an agreement with Imola to cover any costs the circuit incurs in preparing for the grand prix if it does not take place.
On engine supply, Benson explains the regulations require manufacturers to supply engines to customers if requested, though not in their first season. He lists the current supply arrangements: Honda (Aston Martin) and Audi each supply only one team; Red Bull supplies two, both in-house; Mercedes supplies four (McLaren, Alpine and Williams in addition to its works team); and Ferrari supplies three (Haas and Cadillac as well as the factory outfit). The rules assign the initial obligation to supply a team without an engine to the manufacturer with the fewest customers, subject to negotiation, and Benson notes there is presently no team actively seeking an engine. He also reports that Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll earlier this year explored leaving Honda before deciding to remain with them, and that Benson describes scenarios in which teams might approach Red Bull or Mercedes if they sought a change and if Honda did not make a step forward.
The United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend is the first of six races remaining before the season concludes in December, and Antonelli can clinch the 2026 drivers' championship at Austin if he wins while George Russell finishes ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower.