Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane says 2027 driver decision will come “in the coming weeks”

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane confirmed that the team has not yet chosen its drivers for the 2027 Formula 1 season, saying a decision is expected “in the coming weeks.” Permane indicated there is no fixed deadline, responding to a question ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix by saying: “I don't want to give you a definite date. You know, no, that's not going to work. It's going to be in the coming weeks, let's say.”

Permane’s remarks increase attention on Racing Bulls’ plans for 2027 because, according to the team principal, the remaining F1 teams outside Racing Bulls and Haas have already announced they will remain with their current driver pairings into next year. That puts Racing Bulls at the centre of the remaining driver market, with the team needing to decide whether to extend deals for its current options.

Within that shortlist, Permane referenced three major contenders: Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, and Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov. Lawson and Lindblad have been central to Racing Bulls’ strong recent form, with the team principal noting their performances translated into regular points finishes. The Formula 1 release states that Lawson has scored 69 points in total, including 14 points during his stint as Isack Hadjar’s substitute at Red Bull.

The same source says rookie Lindblad has netted 38 points so far. It also frames the context of Racing Bulls’ challenge: the team operates as a development environment for Red Bull’s driver pipeline, meaning the choice is not solely about immediate results but also about longer-term progression.

Permane said Tsolov is “waiting in the wings” for an opportunity to race in Formula 1, pointing to his recent progress in feeder series competition. The release specifically links Tsolov’s readiness to his performance in Formula 2, where he impressed while competing for the title in his first full season.

Asked why the team has not already settled on a pairing, Permane said the decision-making window is shaped by the unique task of balancing development goals with the competitiveness of the current line-up. He added: “I mean, we're in no rush. I think everyone knows we've got two fantastic drivers. We've got a fantastic driver in F2 at the moment, and they're all there and ready to go.”

Permane then underlined the difficulty of the situation, explaining that selecting one candidate necessarily affects the other prospects. “But three doesn't fit into two, of course, and we're just going to take a little bit more time and make sure we get the right pairing for next year,” he said.

In describing how Racing Bulls evaluates its options, Permane said speed and race pace sit at the top of the list. “There's many, many, many things. I guess top of the list is speed and pace and all that goes with that,” he said, before adding that the team’s wider responsibilities influence its criteria.

Permane said Racing Bulls’ “slightly unique situation” includes a deliberate emphasis on giving young drivers opportunities and keeping an eye on how they develop over time. “We want to bring on young drivers, we want to bring on young talent, and of course we have one eye on them progressing in the future,” he said, adding that it is “not just about the here and now, it's also about what they can do in the future.”