Liam Lawson deletes social media, citing toxic online hate and scrutiny

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has revealed he deleted all his social media accounts due to the overwhelming negativity and personal attacks he faced online, particularly following his brief stint with Red Bull Racing at the start of the 2025 season. The New Zealander, who was demoted back to the sister team after just two race weekends, says the move has significantly improved his mental well-being and shielded him from the sport's toxic digital underbelly.

Why it matters:

The intense, often anonymous scrutiny drivers face on social media platforms is a growing mental health concern in Formula 1. Lawson's decision highlights the personal toll of constant online judgment, which can escalate rapidly with team changes or performance swings. His experience underscores a wider issue where fan passion sometimes crosses into harassment, affecting drivers' lives beyond the track.

The details:

• Lawson confirmed his decision on the Gypsy Tales Podcast, stating he has "not regretted" deleting his accounts and that life is "so much better" without them.
• He pointed out the disconnect between online bravado and real-world interaction, noting that "99% of the time, what people would say online, [they] would never have the balls to say to somebody's face."
• The driver expressed sympathy for younger generations, feeling he "scraped through" the age where social media became omnipresent, especially in his native New Zealand.
• He cited specific examples of the abuse, mentioning how fellow driver Jack Doohan faced similar treatment earlier in the year and how Franco Colapinto's Instagram was flooded with Argentinian flags during speculation about his seat.
• Lawson acknowledged that fan passion is part of the sport but criticized when support for one driver manifests as targeted negativity against another, calling some behavior "insane and unhinged."

The big picture:

Lawson's experience is not isolated. The pressure-cooker environment of F1, combined with the global spotlight and instant access via social media, creates a perfect storm for online abuse. While drivers are public figures, the line between critique and personal attack is frequently blurred. Teams and the sport's governing bodies are increasingly aware of this challenge, but individual coping mechanisms—like Lawson's radical step of opting out—remain a common, if extreme, solution for preserving mental focus and peace.

What's next:

For Lawson, the focus remains on his performance with Racing Bulls, free from the distracting noise of online commentary. His public discussion of the issue may encourage further conversation within the F1 community about fostering a more respectful digital environment. As the sport continues to engage with a younger, digitally-native fanbase, managing the relationship between driver accessibility and personal boundaries will be an ongoing priority.