Lawson named as future McLaren option as Piastri receives warning
Photo: Race Pictures
Kieran is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs and feature content across the F1 calendar. An NQJ-qualified journalist with more than a decade of experience, he has previously written for publications including MailOnline, the Manchester Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press.
Guenther Steiner has suggested Liam Lawson could become an option for McLaren if Oscar Piastri fails to turn his fortunes around in 2027.
After challenging for the drivers' championship in 2025, Piastri has found the new regulations tough in 2026. He sits seventh in the championship and has struggled to get near the pace of Lando Norris, who is almost 100 points ahead of him in the standings.
Lawson, meanwhile, has enjoyed the best season of his career to date, and currently occupies P9 in the standings with 89 points, only behind the drivers who make up the top four teams on the grid.
Steiner believes another disappointing campaign for Piastri could prompt McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown to consider alternatives to the Australian.
Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner warned: “If he has got another year like this next year, you’re right. Zak will look for the next Oscar.”
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He then suggested “maybe Liam Lawson is free”, naming the New Zealander as a potential candidate.
Lawson urged to leave Red Bull family in 2027
Racing Bulls confirmed on Thursday that Lawson would keep his seat in 2027, after speculation that he could lose his drive to Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov.
Steiner though believes the New Zealander must eventually leave the Red Bull family if he wants to become a world champion.
He said: "I think Liam needs to make his own way out of the Red Bull family. I think his promotion back to the Red Bull team from Racing Bulls, I don't think that will happen. And if you don't go there, he cannot be world champion."
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Lawson was previously promoted to the Red Bull team at the start of the 2025 season, but was demoted back to Racing Bulls after just two Grands Prix.
He also drove three races for Red Bull this season, replacing the injured Isack Hadjar. However, the Frenchman's confirmation alongside Max Verstappen for 2027 has effectively closed the door on another immediate promotion.
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