New Zealand driver Liam Lawson is set to know his Formula 1 future by the end of the month.
Lawson is in a battle to save his seat within the Red Bull stable for 2026.
The Racing Bulls driver is currently 14th in the drivers' standings following a turbulent season, which saw him demoted from Red Bull.
World champion Max Verstappen is the only driver secure in the four seats available (Red Bull and Racing Bulls) while Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda and F2 driver Arvid Lindblad are among the contenders for the other three.
Hadjar appears set to join Verstappen in the senior team.
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said their decision on the 2026 line-up is imminent.
"We'll make our decision after Mexico," Marko told Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung.
The Mexico Grand Prix is on 26 October.
Marko said that Irishman Alex Dunne, who is a McLaren junior driver, is not an option for them, but Lindblad is ready to step up.
Lindblad is a Red Bull junior driver and earlier this year was granted dispensation to get a super licence ahead of his 18th birthday.
"Generally speaking, yes. He's (Lindblad) just younger than Hadjar, and we've seen in the past that age plays a role in Formula 1," Marko told Kleine Zeitung.
"But, generally speaking, he's another one of our hopes. We'll see him in the car this year (in an F1 FP1 session), too."
As for Lawson, all he can do for now is perform and that includes this weekend at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
Lawson is coming off a disappointing outing in Singapore where he crashed twice before finishing 15th.
"I'm pumped for Austin as it marks a year since I started in F1," Lawson said.
He took up a full-time driving role with RB after Daniel Ricciardo was sacked following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
In his first start, Lawson qualified 19th for the US Grand Prix but managed to finish ninth thanks to a one-stop strategy.
The 5.5km Circuit of the Americas track is unique with its significant changes in elevation, variation in corners and fast straights.
"It feels very exciting to get back to a track I enjoy, the atmosphere here is amazing," he said.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Trump and Putin agree to meet over Ukraine, contaminated drinking water puts six people in hospital, and a lucky escape for a headphone wearing commuter. (Source: 1News)
"COTA is a high grip track which is well suited to F1 cars. It's built on a unique landscape, so the surface changes every year and will make it a super interesting race."
While both Racing Bulls cars finishing outside the top ten in Singapore chief technical officer Tim Goss remains confident they have a set-up capable to compete in every race.
"The VCARB 02 has proven to work well across a range of circuit types, and we take that knowledge and confidence in our abilities, which should mean that if we get it right on the day we can deliver a strong points finish," Goss said.
The US Grand Prix also features the fourth of six sprint races this season.
Lawson is yet to grab any points in the three sprint races so far, but that has again come down to qualifying, with little chance to make an impression in the shorter race.
SHARE ME