Featured Image Credit: Formula One
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, Motorsport
Ben McCrum
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, Motorsport
Former Red Bull driver Liam Lawson appears to have hit back at claims made by Christian Horner after he was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.
Ahead of the 2025 F1 season, Red Bull shocked fans as they snubbed long-term Racing Bulls driver Tsunoda and picked Lawson to replace Sergio Perez as their second driver this year.
However, after disappointing performances in the first two races of the season, Red Bull decided to go back on their decision as they confirmed that Tsunoda would replace Lawson starting from the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner immediately spoke out to explain the decision, but now Lawson has hit back to give his side of the surprise move.
After Red Bull confirmed that Lawson would be demoted to Racing Bulls, Horner suggested that the decision had been done to protect the 23-year-old from further scrutiny and that Lawson himself had agreed to the move.
But in a new interview with Sky Sports ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Lawson has confirmed that he was completely shocked by the news.
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"It was definitely a shock, honestly. It's not something that I saw coming," revealed the New Zealander.
When asked whether he felt frustrated to have only had two races with Red Bull, he added: "Honestly, yes. Obviously, I would have loved more time.
"And I felt like with more time, especially going to places that I'd been before… it was a tough start.
"But obviously, it's not my decision, so I'm here to make the most of this one."
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When news broke of Lawson and Tsunoda's swap last week, Horner explained that the Red Bull and Racing Bull teams had come together and decided that it was best for the drivers and teams for Lawson to be demoted.
But Lawson's latest interview confirms that he had not been consulted about the move and played no part in deciding to take a step back after his first two races.
“It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and, as a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch,” said Horner.
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“We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers' Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors' title and this is a purely sporting decision."