Racing Bulls has been told to consider an “outside the box” option
in F2 championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli for a seat next year.
The Red Bull sister team has not confirmed who will occupy its two
seats in 2026, with various drivers being linked with the drives.
Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda are all candidates, as
is Red Bull junior Arvid Linblad, who is contending his rookie
campaign in F2. Fornaroli, however, has enjoyed a more consistent
first season in the junior category and does not have any existing
ties to an F1 team. Racing driver Jamie Chadwick has suggested
Fornaroli would be a stronger option for the team next year to
partner Lawson, should Hadjar get a promotion to Red Bull. “In
terms of the second seat at Racing Bulls, that's where I think it
gets a bit complicated, because they are only looking within their
system,” she told Sky F1 . “We understand they're only looking at
Arvid Lindblad. It's his first year in F2. F2 is incredibly
competitive, but he still needs to develop and learn. “I don't want
to see him rushed into that seat and unable to perform as a result.
“They need to have a think and consider who they put in that seat
more than anything else. If you look at F2, we have a rookie
leading F2 not associated with any F1 team in Leonardo Fornaroli.
“Why don't they consider someone like that? Why don't they try and
look outside the box at someone that's maybe performing at a
slightly higher level than Arvid at the moment, and keep Arvid
until he's ready for F1.” While Lawson's place on the grid has not
yet been confirmed, Chadwick is confident Lawson will be retained
despite being dropped by Red Bull two rounds into the current
season. Should a route back to the sister team not be an option,
Chadwick pointed to other drivers who have found long-term spots on
the grid after leaving Red Bull. “Liam is unfortunate in terms of
his timing in the process, but he's likely to stay in F1 next
year,” he said. “If you look at drivers who have been through that
system, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, they've all got long contracts
now in F1. “They’re not in world championship-contending teams at
the moment, but they're still very much in F1. “Liam has got a good
opportunity there.”
in F2 championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli for a seat next year.
The Red Bull sister team has not confirmed who will occupy its two
seats in 2026, with various drivers being linked with the drives.
Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda are all candidates, as
is Red Bull junior Arvid Linblad, who is contending his rookie
campaign in F2. Fornaroli, however, has enjoyed a more consistent
first season in the junior category and does not have any existing
ties to an F1 team. Racing driver Jamie Chadwick has suggested
Fornaroli would be a stronger option for the team next year to
partner Lawson, should Hadjar get a promotion to Red Bull. “In
terms of the second seat at Racing Bulls, that's where I think it
gets a bit complicated, because they are only looking within their
system,” she told Sky F1 . “We understand they're only looking at
Arvid Lindblad. It's his first year in F2. F2 is incredibly
competitive, but he still needs to develop and learn. “I don't want
to see him rushed into that seat and unable to perform as a result.
“They need to have a think and consider who they put in that seat
more than anything else. If you look at F2, we have a rookie
leading F2 not associated with any F1 team in Leonardo Fornaroli.
“Why don't they consider someone like that? Why don't they try and
look outside the box at someone that's maybe performing at a
slightly higher level than Arvid at the moment, and keep Arvid
until he's ready for F1.” While Lawson's place on the grid has not
yet been confirmed, Chadwick is confident Lawson will be retained
despite being dropped by Red Bull two rounds into the current
season. Should a route back to the sister team not be an option,
Chadwick pointed to other drivers who have found long-term spots on
the grid after leaving Red Bull. “Liam is unfortunate in terms of
his timing in the process, but he's likely to stay in F1 next
year,” he said. “If you look at drivers who have been through that
system, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, they've all got long contracts
now in F1. “They’re not in world championship-contending teams at
the moment, but they're still very much in F1. “Liam has got a good
opportunity there.”
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