Lawson’s Singapore form makes Tsolov’s F1 path harder, columnist argues

Liam Lawson’s Singapore weekend makes Nikola Tsolov’s path to Formula 1 harder, in the assessment of Motorsport.com columnist Norman Fischer. Lawson finished fifth in Saturday’s sprint and seventh in Sunday’s grand prix; Fischer also describes him as the strongest driver outside the top four teams in every relevant session.

Fischer sees Lawson’s seat as the only realistic opening across Red Bull’s two teams. He writes that Red Bull Racing’s 2027 line-up is settled with Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, and doubts Racing Bulls would replace Arvid Lindblad after one year, despite Lindblad’s weaker Singapore weekend.

Lawson has 75 points, compared with 41 for his nearest midfield pursuer, Pierre Gasly. Fischer notes that Lawson’s season tally also includes a three-race spell at Red Bull while Hadjar was injured.

Tsolov has six victories this season, more than any driver, in his first full Formula 2 campaign. The 19-year-old Bulgarian is a Red Bull junior. Fischer says Tsolov’s recent form has plateaued: after three consecutive summer wins, his Baku podium was his first in nine races, and he had lost the championship lead to Ferrari junior Rafael Camara. Tsolov enters the final two Formula 2 weekends as the title chaser.