Lawson laments ‘tough’ call
Liam Lawson has spoken out about his demotion from Red Bull’s top Formula 1 team after the decision was officially confirmed by team principal and chief executive officer Christian Horner.
The Kiwi driver has been axed after two races, in which he failed to score any championship points, and will be replaced by Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda.
The pair are swapping places, with Lawson returning to Red Bull’s second team, Racing Bulls, before the Formula 1 season continues with the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6.
Lawson, 23, posted a message on Instagram hours after the changes, which had been widely predicted, were confirmed by Red Bull.
“Being a @redbullracing driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it’s what I’ve worked towards my whole life,” he says.
“It’s tough, but I’m grateful for everything that’s brought me to this point. To every one of you who’s stood by me, thank you for all the support it means the world.”
He also thanked the Racing Bulls team, whom he raced for briefly last season, for their warm welcome. “I’m excited and ready to go to work at one of my favourite places.”
Laurent Mekies, team principal at Racing Bulls, says everyone is looking forward to working hard with Lawson “to give him the best environment possible for him to shine in our car and to express the talent we all know he has”.
Sporting ambitions
Red Bull announced late on March 27 (NZ time) that Lawson and Tsunoda were swapping places after what it described as a difficult opening to the 2025 season for the New Zealander.
Horner adds: “It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and, as a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch.
“We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the world drivers’ championship and to reclaim the world constructors’ title and this is a purely sporting decision.
“We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well.”
Horner admits there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and claims the experience of Tsunoda, who has spent the past four seasons with Red Bull’s second team, “will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car”.
