• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Liam Lawson hits back at Christian Horner's claim about Red Bull switch as F1 driver makes 'shock' admission

Home> F1

Updated 12:16 2 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 12:07 2 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Liam Lawson hits back at Christian Horner's claim about Red Bull switch as F1 driver makes 'shock' admission

The former Red Bull driver has hit back at his boss in a tell-all interview.

Ben McCrum

Ben McCrum

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.

Advert

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.

Advert

"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."

Advert

Liam Lawson struggled to perform at Red Bull. (Image: Getty)
Liam Lawson struggled to perform at Red Bull. (Image: Getty)

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.

Advert

“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."

Featured Image Credit: Formula One

Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, Motorsport

Ben McCrum
Ben McCrum

Ben is a sports journalist who specialises in football and MMA. He has written for publications such as Manchester Evening News, WiganToday, Manchester World and beIN Sports. Throughout his career he has interviewed top athletes in MMA including Tom Aspinall and Michael Bisping.

X

@benmcc14

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Fans want Lewis Hamilton to leave Ferrari after hearing team radio exchange during Silverstone GP qualifying

    Lewis Hamilton is in action as qualifying takes place ahead of the British Grand Prix.

    F1
  • an hour ago

    Martin Brundle reveals Jeremy Clarkson's bold-five word claim during Silverstone Grand Prix

    The popular broadcaster made a bold prediction live on Sky Sports.

    F1
  • 2 hours ago

    Fans are extremely worried after seeing footage of Max Verstappen at Silverstone

    Speculation surrounds the future of the Red Bull driver who has been linked with a move to Mercedes.

    F1
  • 2 hours ago

    F1 star handed double punishment ahead of Silverstone Grand Prix after 'bizarre' incident

    The British Grand Prix is taking place on Sunday at Silverstone.

    F1
  • Awkward footage of Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson together for first time since controversial Red Bull swap
  • Sky F1 expert reveals the shock 'real reason' Liam Lawson was dropped after speaking to 'high placed sources' at Red Bull
  • Red Bull axe Liam Lawson as brutal statement released ahead of Japanese Grand Prix
  • Liam Lawson releases statement on being demoted by Red Bull after just two races