Günther Steiner believes Liam Lawson has the talent to become a Formula 1 world champion, but insists the New Zealand driver must eventually leave the Red Bull family if he wants to fight for the title. The former Haas team principal has offered his assessment of Liam Lawson’s future following another impressive performance at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix, where the Racing Bulls driver finished seventh after qualifying third in heavy rain at Interlagos.
Despite his strong form, Liam Lawson remains uncertain about his Formula 1 future beyond the current season. Racing Bulls has yet to officially confirm his contract extension for 2027, with the Faenza-based team seriously considering promoting Nikola Tsolov. For Günther Steiner, however, the bigger question is not simply whether the New Zealander retains his seat, but whether remaining within the Red Bull structure offers him a realistic path towards becoming world champion.
Liam Lawson faces uncertain Racing Bulls future despite impressive Brazilian GP
Liam Lawson once again demonstrated his potential during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, producing an outstanding qualifying performance in extremely difficult conditions. The Racing Bulls driver secured third place on the grid in heavy rain before completing the race in seventh, contributing valuable points to his team’s defence of fifth position in the constructors’ championship.
Nevertheless, his performances have not yet guaranteed him a place on the 2027 Formula 1 grid. Racing Bulls continues to evaluate its options, with Nikola Tsolov emerging as a potential replacement despite Liam Lawson’s consistency and ability to compete regularly inside the points.
The uncertainty surrounding his future has prompted considerable discussion, including from former Haas team principal Günther Steiner. The Italian engineer, who is now the owner of the Tech3 MotoGP team, believes Liam Lawson possesses the qualities necessary to challenge for Formula 1’s greatest prize, but questions whether the Red Bull development structure can provide the opportunity he needs.
Günther Steiner explains why Liam Lawson should leave Red Bull
Günther Steiner expects Racing Bulls to retain Liam Lawson for another season, but believes the New Zealander’s longer-term ambitions should take him beyond the Red Bull organisation. In his view, promotion to the senior Red Bull team appears unlikely, particularly following Liam Lawson’s brief and unsuccessful spell with the Milton Keynes-based outfit during the previous championship.
Although the Racing Bulls driver has demonstrated impressive consistency in the points, his current team does not possess one of the four strongest cars on the grid. Günther Steiner therefore believes a move to another leading Formula 1 team would be necessary if Liam Lawson is to have a realistic opportunity to fight for a world championship.
Speaking to New Zealand radio station More FM, Günther Steiner explained: “First of all, I think they’ll continue to back him next year. After that, I think Liam needs to find his own path outside the Red Bull family. I don’t think he’ll be promoted from Racing Bulls to the Red Bull team, and if he doesn’t get there, he won’t be able to become world champion.”
The former Haas boss nevertheless made it clear that his doubts concern Liam Lawson’s opportunities rather than his driving ability. He believes the New Zealander could compete for the title if he secured a seat in the right car at the right time.
Günther Steiner believes Liam Lawson has F1 world champion potential
When asked whether Liam Lawson possesses the talent required to win the Formula 1 World Championship, Günther Steiner gave an encouraging assessment while acknowledging the strength of the competition across the grid.
“Does he have the talent to become world champion? I think so, in the right car. At the moment, there are many other drivers in Formula 1 with a similar level of talent. However, if he found himself in the right team, in the right place and at the right time, he could do it,” Günther Steiner said.
Günther Steiner also praised Liam Lawson’s ability to deliver strong performances despite competing with machinery that is not among the four most competitive cars in Formula 1. His results for Racing Bulls have convinced the former team principal that he deserves an opportunity at a higher level.
“So far, he’s shown that he can do a very good job with Racing Bulls. Even though he doesn’t have one of the four best cars, he’s consistently the best of the rest. He’s shown that he’s up to the task, but now he needs to get into a front-running car, with one of the top four teams.”
The assessment places Liam Lawson’s future in a broader context. While the New Zealander is still waiting for confirmation of his Racing Bulls seat for 2027, Günther Steiner believes that remaining within the Red Bull family could ultimately restrict his chances of reaching the very top of Formula 1.
For the moment, Liam Lawson’s immediate priority remains securing his position at Racing Bulls. However, if his ambition is to become a world champion, Günther Steiner believes the next major step in his career may have to come outside the organisation that brought him into Formula 1.
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