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Former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has voiced a firm opinion regarding Racing Bulls' driver line-up for the 2027 Formula 1 season, insisting the team should replace Liam Lawson with Bulgarian rising star Nikola Tsolov.
Just a year ago, the Austrian would have held the final say on such matters in Milton Keynes. Among his final moves at the helm of Red Bull's junior academy was parting ways with the experienced Yuki Tsunoda to make room for rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Lawson's future remains the final unanswered question on the 2027 grid, but Marko has no doubt about the direction his former employers ought to take.
Speaking to Austrian outlet Krone, Marko reflected on past remarks by Christian Horner concerning Fernando Alonso's interest in joining Red Bull during his first McLaren stint. Talks fell apart quickly due to the Spaniard's refusal to commit beyond a single season, a condition firmly rejected by Horner and the late co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
Recalling that dilemma and the difficulty of turning down a two-time world champion, Marko highlighted the organization's core philosophy:
"I fully stand by Mateschitz's famous motto: 'We don't buy stars, we make them.' We have always sought home-grown talent capable of winning Formula 1 races, and with very few exceptions, that strategy has worked flawlessly."
Marko applied that exact mindset to the current seat dilemma at Racing Bulls:
"Staying true to these principles, the tough call between Liam Lawson and Nikola Tsolov at Racing Bulls should ultimately go in Tsolov's favor."
With Isack Hadjar committed to Red Bull on a long-term deal, Lawson's path to promotion within the Austrian outfit's ranks appears blocked. The New Zealander's best shot at securing a top-tier seat in the future may be to follow Pierre Gasly's blueprint and look elsewhere on the grid, especially if management opts for Tsolov.
At the same time, parting with Lawson to promote the young Bulgarian would reaffirm Racing Bulls' identity primarily as a development incubator for Red Bull. With the team chasing its highest-ever Constructors' Championship finish, replacing their most experienced driver with a rookie would inevitably raise questions about their immediate competitive ambitions.
Dubbed 'The Bulgarian Lion', Tsolov is locked in a fierce battle for the Formula 2 title in his rookie campaign, trailing championship leader Rafael Câmara by just seven points with two rounds to go. Câmara has already secured his graduation to Formula 1 next season, with Haas confirming he will replace Esteban Ocon.
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