Amid speculation surrounding Tsolov, 'incredible' Lawson receives backing once more.

      "Liam has been outstanding this year, to be honest."

      Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has once again defended Liam Lawson’s position amid ongoing rumors linking Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov with a potential Formula 1 seat. Recent reports have indicated that the Formula 2 standout could take Lawson's spot next to Arvid Lindblad in 2027, although Permane affirmed in Austria that no decisions have been finalized. Speaking again at the Red Bull Ring, this time to El Mundo Deportivo, he reiterated his praise for Lawson’s achievements. "Liam has been outstanding this year, to be honest," stated Permane. "We often discuss Arvid, and rightly so, but Liam had a very challenging start to last season. He was also up against Isack Hadjar, an exceptional talent. "Nonetheless, this year Liam has fulfilled all our expectations. He’s completely focused, remains very fast, capitalizes on opportunities as they come, avoids mistakes, and is performing exceptionally well. He’s in a strong position in the World Championship standings. "That’s precisely what we asked of him, and he’s delivering." Permane also recognized that Tsolov’s impressive performance in Formula 2 is bolstering his case for promotion. "It’s a very nice problem to have," he remarked. "He’s already secured wins in Melbourne and Monaco. He’ll be making his case very soon." When asked how Racing Bulls could accommodate another highly regarded Red Bull junior with only two available race seats, Permane smiled: "Having too many talented drivers is always a positive issue. "He’s performing impressively, and we’re monitoring him closely. He’s doing an excellent job."