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Sport Nation
Liam Lawson keen to make most of shock Red Bull axe
AP • April 3rd, 2025 8:00 am
Photo: AP
Liam Lawson admits his axing from Red Bull after just two races came as an unexpected shock, but he's vowed to make the best of his time back in the Formula One team's junior outfit.
After just 11 races in F1, the 23-year-old was promoted from Racing Bulls, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, to replace Sergio Perez for the 2025 season.
But the New Zealander crashed out on his Red Bull debut in Melbourne before then qualifying last for both the sprint and the main event in China, going on to finish 12th in the race.
In an uncompromising move, Lawson was then sent back to Racing Bulls and Tsunoda, who has been at the junior team since 2021, will now step up to partner world champion Max Verstappen ahead of his home race in Japan on Sunday.
After demoting him, Red Bull insisted they had a "duty of care to protect" the 23-year-old, with the team's motorsport adviser Helmut Marko saying Lawson's confidence was beyond repair.
Lawson admitted the decision felt like it had come out of the blue.
"It was definitely a shock, honestly. It is not something that I saw coming," Lawson told Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
"The discussions we were having as well, I think, weren't really leaning in this direction, so it was definitely not something that I sort of expected."
Lawson added he would have "loved more time" as part of Red Bull's set-up, but hopes to make the most of his switch back to the junior team.
Red Bull's 'disgraceful' treatment of Liam Lawson | Sport Nation
"I felt like with more time, especially going to places that I'd been before... it was a tough start," Lawson said.
"We had a rocky testing. We had a rocky first weekend in Melbourne with practice, and then obviously China was a sprint race.
"I think going to places that I'd been before, with the way the car was quite tricky, I think that would have helped and I would have loved that opportunity.
"But obviously, it's not my decision, so I'm here to make the most of this one."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner felt they had "asked too much, too soon" of Lawson.
"Of course, it is horrible because you are taking away someone's dreams and aspirations," Horner said.
"But sometimes you have got to be cruel to be kind, and I think that in this instance, this is not the end for Liam.
"I was very clear with him, is that it's a sample of two races. I think that we have asked too much of you too soon."
