New Zealand F1 rookie, Liam Lawson, has issued a scathing response to criticism from McLaren CEO, Zak Brown, who recently cast doubt on Red Bull’s decision to promote Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Brown’s critique came in the wake of Tsunoda’s stellar performance at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, where he secured a commendable fifth place on the grid. In contrast, Lawson, in his debut race for Red Bull, struggled to make an impression, managing to secure only an 18th place finish.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Brown didn’t hold back, stating, “Yuki did a great job. [He is] probably the guy who should be in the Red Bull if you look at how he’s performed, but they seem to make some strange driver choices from time to time.”
However, Lawson, who stepped into the shoes of Sergio Perez at Red Bull, appeared unfazed by the critique. Dismissing Brown’s comments ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, he stated, “I couldn’t care less what Zak says, to be honest. I haven’t spoken to him, I don’t really think ever. And I haven’t read any social media for the last two weeks.”
He stressed that one poor performance doesn’t define his potential or future trajectory. “It’s important to have a good weekend because obviously that’s what we’re here to do,” Lawson continued. “I don’t think after one race we can go into a spiral, but obviously, we all have high expectations anyway.”
Despite the less-than-ideal start, Lawson remains committed to proving his worth to Red Bull. However, the young driver may be feeling the heat after Brown’s comments, which have potentially increased pressure on the 23-year-old.
Simultaneously, Tsunoda, who currently drives for the Red Bull junior team, has taken Brown’s praise in his stride while maintaining his focus on his personal development. “I appreciated what Zak said about me in the press, but it’s just one race and these things have been going on since last year,” Tsunoda stated. “I still believe there’s a lot more room for improvement in myself. So, I’m just focused on that.”
The clash between McLaren and Red Bull’s viewpoint highlights the simmering tension between the two teams, with both Lawson and Tsunoda determined to prove their mettle, irrespective of external opinions.
Whether Zak Brown’s controversial comments were intended to stir the pot within Red Bull’s lineup or merely ignite a debate, one thing is clear: the season is still young, and these promising drivers have ample time to silence their critics.
