Liam Lawson reveals shock over Red Bull’s decision to demote him

Liam Lawson reveals his shock over Red Bull’s decision to demote him to Racing Bulls — after just two Formula 1 races in the 2025 season.

Following poor performances in Melbourne and Shanghai with last-place qualifying positions, Red Bull decided to swap their driver with Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda.

“It was definitely a shock, honestly,” Lawson told Sky Sports. “The discussions we were having weren’t really leaning in this direction.”

Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, explained that the decision was made due to the need for immediate results — while still considering Lawson’s wellbeing.

“From what we saw in Australia and China, this situation was really affecting Liam. He has talent, maybe within half a season he would have gotten there, but we just don’t have that amount of time,” Horner explained.

Lawson acknowledged his frustration about not being given more time — considering Albert Park and Shanghai were circuits he had never tried before. “The car is hard to drive, but we were going through an adjustment process. Unfortunately, I wasn’t given enough time,” he added.

Despite the setback, Lawson remains optimistic about proving himself at Racing Bulls —his demotion highlights the intense pressure young drivers face in Formula 1, where immediate results often dictate their careers. With the right performances, he hopes to earn another chance at Red Bull in the future.