Liam Lawson on Tsunoda's Demotion: F1 is a 'Very, Very Tough Game'

Liam Lawson recently reflected on his surprising journey from being replaced at Red Bull after just two races to securing a contract extension with Racing Bulls. The shake-up at Red Bull sees Isack Hadjar promoted to partner Max Verstappen, with Lawson remaining at Racing Bulls alongside new Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad.

Why it matters:

Lawson's reflections highlight the brutal, competitive nature of Formula 1. His comments, particularly on Yuki Tsunoda's demotion, underscore how quickly careers can change in F1, emphasizing the constant pressure on drivers to perform and the limited opportunities available. This reshuffling by Red Bull also signals a new generation of talent being fast-tracked into top seats, potentially altering the team's dynamics and future performance.

The Details:

• Lawson's Initial Experience: Lawson admitted his two races filling in for Daniel Ricciardo felt "so short" that he barely remembers them, indicating the immense pressure and rapid learning curve for new F1 entrants.
• Personal Growth: Despite the initial disappointment of being replaced, Lawson believes the experiences of this year have made him "a lot stronger" and more resilient.
• Red Bull's Driver Shake-up: Isack Hadjar will join Max Verstappen at Red Bull, while Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will form the new line-up at Racing Bulls. This move sidelines Yuki Tsunoda, who will transition to a reserve driver role for 2026.
• Tsunoda's Demotion: Lawson commented on Yuki Tsunoda's demotion, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation but also highlighting the reality that many drivers never get an F1 opportunity. He stated, "It's a very, very tough game, which obviously I've learned as well."
• Self-Belief in F1: Lawson emphasized that a strong belief in oneself is essential to compete in Formula 1, stating, "I think you couldn't be here if you thought that somebody was better than you."

What's next:

This significant driver reshuffle sets the stage for a compelling 2026 season. Hadjar's promotion to Red Bull will be closely watched to see how he performs alongside a four-time champion like Verstappen, while Lawson's renewed opportunity at Racing Bulls offers him a crucial chance to prove his long-term F1 potential. Tsunoda's move to a reserve role, after several years as a full-time driver, serves as a stark reminder of the cutthroat competition and constant evolution within the Red Bull driver program.