The Formula 1 world is buzzing, and not for the right reasons if you’re Liam Lawson. In what can only be described as one of the most ruthless driver decisions in recent F1 history, Red Bull has dropped the 23-year-old New Zealander after just two races. Yes, two races. Talk about a short audition.
A Whirlwind Swap
Lawson will now swap places with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, returning to Red Bull’s second team, Racing Bulls, starting with the next race in Japan. The decision, reportedly made by Red Bull bosses including team principal Christian Horner during a meeting in Dubai, has left many in the F1 community stunned. The official confirmation is expected later this week, though Red Bull has so far declined to comment.
But why the sudden switch? According to insiders, Lawson’s performance simply wasn’t cutting it. The New Zealander qualified 18th in Australia before crashing out in wet conditions and finished 12th in China after qualifying last. His average qualifying deficit to teammate Max Verstappen has been a staggering 0.88 seconds. Not exactly world championship material, at least not yet.
A History of Ruthlessness
Red Bull is no stranger to tough calls. The team’s young driver program is as brutal as it is renowned. However, even by their standards, dropping a driver after just two races feels extraordinary. Many are questioning whether this is a sign of panic within the Red Bull camp rather than a well-calculated strategy.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been vocal about his willingness to step up. When asked at the Chinese Grand Prix if he would accept a promotion to Red Bull, he responded enthusiastically: “Yeah, why not? Always. In Japan? Yeah, 100%. I mean, the car is faster.”
Lawson, on the other hand, was less than thrilled. “I’ve raced him for years, raced him in junior categories and beat him – and I did in F1 as well, so he can say whatever he wants,” he said. Confident words, but unfortunately not enough to keep his seat.
A Pattern of Questionable Decisions
This isn’t the first time Red Bull’s driver management has come under scrutiny. The team terminated Sergio Perez’s contract last year despite two seasons remaining, opting for Lawson over Tsunoda due to the New Zealander’s perceived mental toughness. Now, they seem to be second-guessing that decision.
Even Max Verstappen is reportedly skeptical. Insiders claim he believes the issue lies with the car rather than the second driver. And he’s not wrong; the 2025 Red Bull has been labeled the fourth quickest car on the grid, trailing McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
A Career Cut Short or Just Another Chapter?
Liam Lawson’s brief stint at Red Bull will undoubtedly go down as one of the shortest in F1 history, joining the likes of Nyck de Vries and Yuji Ide in the record books of fleeting F1 careers. At least Lawson remains on the grid, though it’s cold comfort considering the circumstances.
Is this the end of the road for Lawson at the top level, or just a bump on the path to redemption? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: when it comes to Red Bull, no seat is ever truly safe.
What do you think of this shocking move by Red Bull? Was it justified or downright unfair? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 🏎️
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