BREAKING NEWS: Lawson Admits Being Blindsided by Shock Red B

Lawson Admits Being Blindsided by Shock Red Bull Axe

Liam Lawson, the 23-year-old New Zealand driver, has expressed his surprise and disappointment over Red Bull Racing’s decision to demote him after just two races in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Lawson, who replaced Sergio Perez at the start of the season, struggled in the opening races in Australia and China, failing to score points and facing challenges in qualifying sessions. This led to Red Bull’s decision to replace him with Yuki Tsunoda for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.

Reflecting on the unexpected move, Lawson admitted, “It was definitely a shock, honestly. It’s not something that I saw coming.” He further elaborated that the discussions prior to the decision did not indicate such an outcome, making the demotion even more surprising. Lawson acknowledged his desire for more time to adapt, especially with familiar tracks on the horizon, stating, “I would have loved more time. And I felt like with more time, especially going to places that I’d been before… it was a tough start.”

Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, explained the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing the need for immediate performance to support their championship ambitions. Horner noted that the engineering team had significant concerns about Lawson’s performance and confidence, leading to the conclusion that a change was necessary. He stated, “I think we were asking too much of him too soon… It was something that was very clear to the engineering side within the team, just how much Liam was struggling with it all.”

The decision to promote Yuki Tsunoda, who has been with Red Bull’s junior team since 2021, was influenced by his experience and recent form. Horner expressed optimism about Tsunoda’s ability to contribute effectively, saying, “We can use Yuki’s experience and form now. That counts. At the end of the day, that is to the advantage of the team.”

Lawson’s demotion has sparked discussions within the Formula 1 community. Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull’s lead driver Max Verstappen, publicly showed support for Lawson on social media. Additionally, Max Verstappen’s engagement with a critical comment about the decision suggests some internal disagreements within the team.

Despite the setback, Lawson remains determined and focused on making the most of his opportunities with Racing Bulls. He expressed enthusiasm about returning to familiar tracks, particularly Suzuka, where he has previous experience. “I’m really looking forward to be racing in Japan this weekend. Suzuka is one of my favourite tracks on the calendar,” Lawson remarked.

The swift driver change underscores Red Bull’s high-performance expectations and their readiness to make rapid decisions to maintain a competitive edge in the championship. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Tsunoda’s performance alongside Max Verstappen and Lawson’s efforts to prove his capabilities with Racing Bulls.