Marko: Lawson’s Demotion Was to “Save His F1 Career”

Red Bull’s Helmut Marko says Lawson’s return to Racing Bulls is a lifeline, not a punishment, after pressure derailed his form.

Liam Lawson’s demotion from Red Bull was a strategic move to “save his Formula 1 career,” according to Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko.

After a string of disappointing performances in Australia and China, Lawson, the 23-year-old New Zealander, faced growing criticism. Marko admitted on Servus TV—Red Bull’s own media channel—that the team had made a mistake.

Lawson Sent Back to Rebuild at Racing Bulls

“To protect his future in Formula 1, we decided to send him back to Racing Bulls,” Marko explained. “The 2025 Red Bull car is extremely demanding—only Max Verstappen has been able to consistently unlock its full potential.”

“For a young driver like Liam, the pressure was simply too much. Keeping him in that environment would’ve only made things worse.”

Instead, Racing Bulls—the sister team based in Faenza—offers a calmer setting where Lawson can regroup and rebuild.

“He had some bad luck too,” Marko added. “In Bahrain, mechanical issues cost him valuable track time. In Australia, he missed crucial practice laps. From there, the pressure mounted, and with it, mistakes. His confidence took a hit.”

By the time the F1 circus reached China, things had “spiraled,” Marko said. “The car is tough to handle and not the fastest either—it just didn’t help his situation.”

While a return to Red Bull Racing now looks unlikely, Marko remains optimistic: “It’s not the end of the road. He still has a real shot at making a successful career in F1 with Racing Bulls.”

According to Marko, the Racing Bulls car is more forgiving and has shown strong pace—especially in qualifying. “It’s close to being competitive over a full race distance, and both Liam and Isack Hadjar will have a chance to shine this season.”

Max Frustrated as Tsunoda Replaces Struggling Lawson

Interestingly, Max Verstappen was reportedly frustrated by the decision to demote Lawson.

“We know Max isn’t happy. But we need two competitive cars at the front—not just for the Constructors’ Championship, but to support Max’s push for a fifth world title,” said Marko.

“Having a second car in play helps with race strategy. And right now, Yuki Tsunoda’s experience and current form offer that advantage.”

Tsunoda’s return to the Red Bull seat comes after a year of inconsistency, which initially led to Lawson being chosen for the role. So why the change of heart?

“Yuki has made clear progress over the winter,” Marko explained. “He’s mentally stronger, and he knows Suzuka like the back of his hand.”

“Last year, he lacked consistency—that’s why we went with Liam. But under pressure, Liam cracked. It became a downward spiral,” he said. “I compared it to a boxer getting beaten up—and that’s exactly what it was.”

Ultimately, Lawson’s performances weren’t enough to support Red Bull’s championship ambitions.

“What he delivered just wasn’t at the level we needed. For the team’s strategy—and for Max—we need a solid second driver. That’s the bottom line.”

• Discover More>Russell Is Ready to Shake Up F1’s Established Top Order
• Follow us on >Facebook and >Twitter for F1 updates

Lawson Demoted to Save His F1 Career – Marko
Lawson Demoted to Save His F1 Career – Marko