Liam Lawson’s tumultuous journey in Formula 1 has taken a dramatic turn, revealing shocking insights into his demotion from Red Bull Racing after just two races. In a bold claim, Lawson has pointed an accusatory finger at the experimental set-up utilized during his stint in China, suggesting that it was a “shot in the dark” that ultimately sealed his fate within the team.
After being touted as the future alongside Max Verstappen for the F1 2025 season, Lawson’s dreams came crashing down as he faced the brutal reality of the motorsport world. He recalls that the team’s decision to experiment with the RB21 was intended to enhance his understanding of the car. Instead, the disappointing results from his two race weekends in Australia and China became the ammunition for his swift demotion. “That performance was then used to demote me from the team, basically,” Lawson remarked, highlighting the cutthroat nature of F1 where even a single misstep can lead to dire consequences.
The young Kiwi driver, who had only 11 races under his belt, was initially favored over Yuki Tsunoda, with team principal Christian Horner advocating for Lawson’s potential trajectory. However, the harsh reality struck as he failed to score any points and couldn’t even escape Q1 during his outings. The decision to swap him out for Tsunoda before the Japanese Grand Prix sent shockwaves through the paddock, prompting a flurry of speculation regarding the factors that led to this unexpected turn of events.
As pundits dissected Lawson’s struggles, they pointed to a lack of experience in driving a Red Bull F1 car and the inherent challenges posed by its complex characteristics. Five months post-demotion, Lawson reflects candidly on his short-lived tenure, admitting that had he known his time was limited to just two races, he would have approached it differently. “There were a few things over that time that made it not smooth,” he confessed, revealing the pressures that come with racing at such a high level.
Despite the rocky start, Lawson has made a remarkable comeback with Racing Bulls, rediscovering his confidence and skill on the track. In a remarkable turnaround, he’s scored in four of the last seven races, tallying 20 points for the season—an impressive feat that puts him ahead of both Tsunoda and his current teammate Isack Hadjar.
This episode in Lawson’s career serves as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of Formula 1, where fortunes can change in an instant, and the margin for error is razor-thin. As he continues to prove himself on the track, the question remains: will Lawson reclaim his spot in the upper echelons of F1, or will the shadow of his demotion linger over his ambitions? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain—Liam Lawson’s journey is far from over, and his resilience will be tested in the races ahead.
