Main Story: Liam Lawson turned a third-place start into a brief run in second at the São Paulo Grand Prix, then finished seventh after Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty. The result added valuable points for Racing Bulls and strengthened Lawson’s case to stay with the team, though its 2027 lineup remains undecided.

By the Numbers
  • Started third after penalties moved him up from fifth in qualifying.
  • Finished seventh after Leclerc received a five-second penalty.
  • Racing Bulls extended its advantage over Alpine in the fight for fifth in the Constructors’ standings.
Yes, But

Lawson’s strong start was difficult to sustain as his intermediate tires grained and the faster cars came through. He said the team maximized its result, but Racing Bulls is not treating its position in the standings as secure.

State of Play
  • Lawson remains without a confirmed seat for 2027, with prospect Nikola Tsolov also in the picture.
  • Racing Bulls is targeting fifth in the Constructors’ standings and says it will keep pushing until the season is over.
What’s Next

Lawson says he will focus on driving while his future remains unresolved. More strong results could reinforce his case as Racing Bulls considers its lineup.

Bottom Line

Interlagos gave Lawson another chance to show he can deliver beyond his car’s apparent limits. The results are strengthening his case, but the team—not the track—will decide whether that is enough for a future seat.