Liam Lawson’s sudden demotion shocks F1 fans as Red Bull faces growing pressure, tension with Verstappen, and a car crisis unfolding.
Red Bull’s ruthless driver shuffle leaves Liam Lawson stunned, as Christian Horner scrambles to contain the fallout — from Lawson, and even Verstappen.
Liam Lawson didn’t mince words. After just two races with Red Bull Racing, the young Kiwi was abruptly moved back to Racing Bulls. Speaking to the media for the first time since the decision, Lawson admitted he was “shocked” and “frustrated” by how things unfolded.
“Honestly, it was a shock. I didn’t see it coming,” Lawson said.
“The conversations we had didn’t indicate this direction at all.”
Too Little Time, Too Harsh a Test
Lawson had only just begun his run with Red Bull when the axe fell. He was especially disappointed not to have raced at Suzuka — a track he knows well from his Super Formula days.
“Of course I’m frustrated. I would’ve loved more time,” he explained.
“It was a tough start — tricky practice sessions, chaos in Melbourne, and a Sprint weekend in China. I really believe more familiar tracks would’ve helped.”
Red Bull’s justification? The RB21 is notoriously difficult to handle, especially its unstable front end — a car built around Max Verstappen’s unique driving style.
Did Lawson struggle to adapt?
“Yeah, the car’s hard to drive. But we were following a process.
It’s all about time. In pre-season, you get full days to adjust. I didn’t have that.
Every session, I was still figuring things out. It wasn’t about my driving style — I just didn’t have enough time.”
Horner Plays Peacemaker — to Lawson and Verstappen
Red Bull boss Christian Horner spoke out this week, acknowledging how brutal the decision was — but insisted it wasn’t the end for Lawson.
“Taking away someone’s dream is horrible. But sometimes, tough calls are necessary,” said Horner.
“We asked too much, too soon. This isn’t the end — it’s a reset. Liam goes back to Racing Bulls, where he can develop without the same pressure.”
The RB21’s handling, Horner admits, is giving even Verstappen headaches.
“We need to improve the car. It’s not just about the second driver — even Max is working overtime to get it right.”
So why not give Lawson at least until Suzuka?
“We saw in Australia and China that the pressure was weighing on him.
Maybe with more time he’d have found his rhythm, but we don’t have that luxury.
Our engineers were genuinely concerned. It became clear we had to act.”
Verstappen Unhappy Behind the Scenes
Internally, there’s growing tension. Max Verstappen reportedly wasn’t pleased with how Lawson was treated — even liking an Instagram post criticizing Red Bull’s decision. That’s a worrying signal, especially as rumors swirl about Verstappen’s future beyond 2025 — with Mercedes and Aston Martin circling.
Horner admitted Max was caught off guard.
“Yes, Max was surprised by how quickly it all happened. But he also saw the challenges Liam was facing.
He’s deeply involved with the engineers and understands the areas where the car needs to improve.”
“We had a great debrief with him last week — he’s focused, committed, and determined to find the tenths we need to catch the McLarens.”
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Lawson ‘Shocked and Gutted’ by Ruthless Red Bull Axe
Lawson ‘Shocked and Gutted’ by Ruthless Red Bull Axe
