Racing Bulls face a tricky decision for 2027, choosing between retaining Liam Lawson alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad or promoting Nikola Tsolov. Meanwhile, F1's planned race in Rwanda draws criticism over human rights concerns and alleged 'sportswashing'.
01Summary
- 01Arvid Lindblad is ninth in the drivers' championship with 75 points; Liam Lawson is 11th with 38 points.
- 02Racing Bulls have a three-don't-fit-into-two situation with Lawson, Lindblad and Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov.
- 03Helmut Marko is no longer in charge of driver choice at the junior team; the decision rests with shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff.
- 04F1 plans a race in Rwanda for the first time since 1993, aiming for a presence on every inhabited continent.
- 05The Democratic Republic of Congo opposes the Rwanda race, citing President Kagame's alleged role in fuelling war and US sanctions over support for the M23 rebel group.
02Why it matters
The driver line-up decision affects the future of the Red Bull driver programme and could determine which young talents get a chance in F1. The Rwanda race raises broader questions about sportswashing and human rights in the host country, relevant to fans concerned about the ethics of F1's expansion.
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