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Formula One: Liam Lawson Expresses Surprise at Red Bull Driver Change
New Zealander Liam Lawson, a rising talent in Formula One, has admitted he was taken aback by Red Bull Racing’s decision to replace him after just two races this season. Initially brought in to substitute for Sergio Perez, Lawson has since returned to his role with Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister team. The swift driver swap has ignited debate within the F1 community and among motorsport enthusiasts.
Lawson’s Brief Stint and Unexpected Demotion
Lawson’s brief time in the Red Bull seat saw him navigate a challenging, rain-affected season opener in Australia, followed by a 12th-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix the subsequent month. Despite these two starts for the team, Red Bull opted for a change, elevating Yuki Tsunoda to the second Red Bull seat in his place. This sudden shift concluded Lawson’s brief tenure as a primary driver for the premier team.
“Definitely a Shock,” Lawson Confesses
In his first interview since the driver change, Lawson told Sky Sports that the decision caught him off guard, given the nature of prior discussions. He stated, “It was definitely a shock, honestly. It’s not something that I anticipated. Based on the discussions we were having, I didn’t see it heading in this direction, so it was certainly unexpected.”
Desire for More Track Time
When questioned about whether he believed additional time would have improved his performance, Lawson responded affirmatively. “Honestly, yes,” he said. “I would have welcomed more time. I felt that with greater opportunity, particularly at circuits where I had prior experience… it was a difficult beginning. We encountered challenges during pre-season testing and a problematic first race weekend in Melbourne. And then, China was a Sprint format event.”
Optimism Amidst Setback
Lawson continued, “I think competing at venues where I’d previously raced, considering the car’s complex handling, would have been beneficial, and I would have valued that opportunity. However, ultimately, it’s not my decision, so my focus is on maximizing my current situation.”
Red Bull Defends “Cruel to be Kind” Driver Selection
Red Bull’s choice to replace Lawson has drawn considerable criticism from Formula One followers, analysts, and even fellow drivers. However, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has firmly defended the move, asserting its necessity. Speaking also to Sky Sports, Horner explained, “Of course, it’s unpleasant because you are impacting someone’s ambitions and aspirations, but sometimes a tough decision is necessary for the greater good, and in this case, this is not the conclusion for Liam.”
Horner: Decision for Lawson’s Long-Term Development
Horner elaborated on the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing it was based on a limited sample size. “I was very transparent with him, emphasizing that it’s a snapshot of two races. I believe we placed excessive expectations on him too prematurely. We must acknowledge that perhaps we were asking too much of him too quickly. Therefore, this is for him to further refine the talent we know he possesses, back in the Racing Bulls seat, while affording Yuki the opportunity and leveraging his accumulated experience.”
Japanese Grand Prix Focus Shifts to Lawson’s Return
Attention will now turn to Lawson at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, as he rejoins Racing Bulls for the third race of the 2025 season. His performance will be closely watched as he aims to demonstrate his potential within the Formula One landscape.