Liam Lawson's Candid Response After Red Bull Snub

Liam Lawson states that he wasn't focused on a Red Bull return this season, instead prioritizing settling back into his role at Racing Bulls. This comes after an unexpected turn of events saw him initially tapped for a Red Bull Racing seat, only to be demoted back to the junior team.

Why it matters:

• Lawson's journey highlights the intense pressure and shifting dynamics within Red Bull's driver development program, a system known for its ruthlessness and high expectations.
• His focus on Racing Bulls underscores the challenge of adapting to an F1 car mid-season and the personal resilience required in a highly competitive environment.
• The decision to promote rookie Isack Hadjar over Lawson for a 2026 Red Bull seat signifies a new direction for the team's future alongside Max Verstappen.

The Details:

• Red Bull announced last December that Liam Lawson would partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing for 2026, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, after a strong initial showing in 12 Formula 1 races.
• However, just two races into the current season, then-Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reversed the decision, demoting Lawson back to Racing Bulls.
  • Horner cited Lawson's 'struggle with the RB21 at the first two races' as the reason, describing it as a 'purely sporting decision'.
• Lawson and Tsunoda subsequently scored 38 and 33 points respectively, with Tsunoda's points largely accumulated while racing for Red Bull.
• The 2026 Red Bull seat ultimately went to rookie Isack Hadjar, who scored 51 points and secured a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.
• Lawson has been confirmed for a second season at Racing Bulls, where he will partner 2026 rookie Arvid Lindblad.
• He admitted that rejoining Red Bull was not a major consideration this year, primarily due to the challenges of adapting to the car mid-season.
  • "It's not, honestly, something I really thought about this year, especially with how when I came back it was a very tricky few races," Lawson stated.
  • He focused on "finding my feet again and getting used to this car," having missed pre-season development.
• Lawson expressed happiness at securing a seat for next year's grid, a decision he only learned after the Qatar Grand Prix from Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane.

What's next:

Lawson's confirmation at Racing Bulls provides a degree of stability as he aims to establish himself firmly in Formula 1.

• His experience navigating the uncertainties of driver contracts and team expectations will likely be invaluable for his future career.
• With a full pre-season and a confirmed seat for 2025, Lawson will have the opportunity to prove his long-term potential in F1.