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Liam Lawson Reflects on Unexpected Demotion from Red Bull Racing

Liam Lawson has expressed his surprise following his recent reassignment to the Racing Bulls team after an abbreviated tenure with Red Bull Racing during the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite high hopes, Lawson’s performance in the initial races of the season fell short of expectations, particularly evident in his qualifying efforts where he finished 20th in both Melbourne and Shanghai.

Consequently, the Red Bull management opted for an immediate change in strategy, reintroducing Yuki Tsunoda to the main team—an opportunity Tsunoda has long awaited. For Lawson, this transition marks a challenging setback as he attempts to regain momentum following a difficult stint at Red Bull’s headquarters in Milton Keynes.

“It was definitely a shock, honestly,” Lawson remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. “It’s not something that I saw coming, given the discussions we were having which didn’t suggest this outcome.”

The pressure on Red Bull Racing has been mounting, especially after losing the constructors’ title the previous year, partly attributed to Sergio Perez’s inconsistent form. Currently, the team is facing another uphill battle, sitting 42 points behind championship leaders McLaren just two races into the season.

Christian Horner, the team principal, revealed that the decision to switch drivers was driven by the necessity for immediate performance improvements while also considering Lawson’s mental well-being. “It was clear from the performances in Australia and China that Liam was struggling significantly,” Horner noted. “We could have opted to stay the course, but given our timing constraints, that wasn’t feasible.”

Lawson acknowledged his frustration with the short duration of his opportunity, expressing that tracks like Albert Park and Shanghai were unfamiliar territory for him, complicating his adjustment. The latter, hosting a sprint weekend, included limited practice time, adding to his challenges. “The car is difficult to handle,” he explained. “We were in the process of learning and adapting, but unfortunately, I didn’t have sufficient time to make those adjustments.”

Despite the setback, Lawson remains committed to making the most of his return to the Racing Bulls team. “It’s not my decision, but I am focused on maximizing this opportunity,” he affirmed.

Conclusion

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on both Lawson’s performance in the Racing Bulls and how Red Bull Racing responds to the pressures of competition. With developments in driver dynamics and team strategies, this season in Formula 1 promises to be anything but predictable.

Source
www.autosport.com