Breaking:Red Bull Star at Risk: Liam Lawson Faces Further Demotion as Lindblad Rises…read more
Liam Lawson’s F1 future is under threat after poor performances with Racing Bulls. With rising star Arvid Lindblad impressing in F2, Red Bull may be preparing another lineup change.
Red Bull Star at Risk: Liam Lawson Faces Further Demotion as Lindblad Rises
In the ever-competitive world of Formula 1, no seat is ever truly safe—and Liam Lawson is learning that the hard way. Just months after earning what many thought was his big break with Red Bull, the New Zealand driver finds himself sliding down the ranks with his future in the sport hanging in the balance.
Lawson, 23, was initially promoted to the Red Bull senior team over the winter, seemingly leapfrogging Yuki Tsunoda to become Max Verstappen’s teammate. However, that promotion was short-lived. After only two races, Red Bull reshuffled its driver lineup, reinstating Tsunoda alongside Verstappen and sending Lawson back to the sister outfit, Racing Bulls.
Since his return to Racing Bulls, Lawson’s performance has raised eyebrows—and not in a good way. He is yet to score a single point this season, while his rookie teammate, Isack Hadjar, has already tallied five points driving the same machinery. This contrast in performance has drawn increasing scrutiny and placed more pressure on Lawson to deliver results.
Making matters more difficult for Lawson is Tsunoda’s resurgence. The Japanese driver has been delivering consistently strong performances since his return to the Red Bull senior team, adding to the justification behind Lawson’s demotion.
Now, seven-time Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya has weighed in on the situation, and his comments suggest that Lawson’s troubles may not be over. In a recent interview with Spanish outlet AS, Montoya speculated that Red Bull could be eyeing yet another change—this time involving 17-year-old rising star Arvid Lindblad.
“If Liam doesn’t improve quickly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring in Arvid Lindblad at some point,” Montoya remarked. “The situation at Red Bull was complicated. I think it was a big blow, and he needed a lot of psychological help afterwards. If Lawson doesn’t recover quickly, I’m sure Red Bull will look elsewhere. That’s just how they work.”
Montoya’s statement echoes what many F1 insiders are beginning to whisper—Lindblad could be next in line if Lawson doesn’t turn things around fast.
So, who is Arvid Lindblad?
Lindblad is one of the latest talents to emerge from Red Bull’s famed driver development program. The British-Swedish racer enjoyed a standout 2024 season in Formula 3, finishing fourth overall with four wins and a podium. He made history at the 2024 British Grand Prix, becoming the first F3 driver to win both the sprint and feature races in the same weekend.
Now racing in Formula 2, Lindblad has already claimed his first victory in the series and is continuing to impress. At just 17, he’s quickly making a name for himself and has even met the superlicence point requirement to race in F1, though he may still need an age-based exemption to compete.
Lawson, who once carried the label of Red Bull’s “next big thing,” now finds himself in a precarious position. If he wants to avoid being replaced, he’ll need to drastically improve his form and help boost Racing Bulls’ standing in the constructors’ championship.
In a sport where talent alone isn’t always enough, consistency, adaptability, and timing can make or break a career. For Liam Lawson, the clock is ticking—and Arvid Lindblad is watching.
