BREAKING: Liam Lawson speaks out after Red Bull replacement talks…Read more
Liam Lawson Reacts to Red Bull Replacement Rumors
Liam Lawson has addressed speculation about his position at Red Bull, particularly amid talks of a potential swap with Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda. Lawson, who was chosen over Tsunoda to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull for the 2025 season, remains firm in his stance despite growing criticism.
Perez’s departure from Red Bull came after a disappointing 2024 season, with the Mexican opting to take a sabbatical from Formula 1. This left a vacancy alongside Max Verstappen, and Red Bull selected Lawson over Tsunoda, a decision that sparked debate. Among the critics was McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who questioned Red Bull’s choice, calling it ‘strange.’
Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Lawson was asked in an interview with The Telegraph whether he felt sympathy for Tsunoda, given speculation that the Japanese driver might soon take his place. The New Zealander gave a candid response:
“Honestly? No. You can’t in this sport. And anyway, if I look back at our careers, I was his teammate in F3 and I beat him. In Euro Formula, I was his teammate in New Zealand, and I beat him there too.”
Despite his confidence, Lawson struggled significantly during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. He qualified last in both the sprint and main race sessions, failing to secure a single point so far this season. In contrast, his teammate Max Verstappen has already accumulated 36 points and consistently performed well, qualifying second and fourth in China.
Lawson’s underwhelming results have contributed to Red Bull’s struggles in the Constructors’ Championship, where they currently trail McLaren by 42 points. With the team’s performance suffering, speculation is growing that Red Bull is considering replacing Lawson with Tsunoda from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards. If this move happens, Lawson would return to the Racing Bulls seat, swapping places with his former teammate.
While Red Bull has not officially confirmed any changes, the pressure on Lawson is mounting as he fights to prove his worth in one of the most competitive seats in Formula 1.
