Christian Horner Fires Red Bull’s Number Two Driver, Liam Lawson!
Red Bull Racing has made the decision to part ways with its number two driver, Liam Lawson, after just two races into the season. The team has confirmed that Lawson will be demoted to the Racing Bulls team, while Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda will take over the Red Bull seat for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.
Lawson’s Struggles Lead to Early Sacking
Lawson’s brief stint with the Red Bull team has been marked by disappointing results, leading to his demotion. In the most recent race in China, Lawson qualified last in both the sprint race and the main Grand Prix. His performance continued to falter, finishing 12th in the Shanghai race, a staggering 81 seconds behind winner Oscar Piastri. Lawson’s debut for Red Bull in Melbourne the previous week was also marred by a crash, leaving his position with the team in question.
Team Principal Christian Horner Explains the Decision
Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, expressed the team’s decision to make an early switch as a necessary step for both Lawson’s development and the team’s goals for the season. “It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races,” Horner stated in a team announcement. “As a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch.”
Horner further emphasized that Red Bull’s ambitions for the 2025 season—to retain the world drivers’ championship and reclaim the constructors’ title played a key role in the decision. He believes Tsunoda’s experience will be valuable in helping develop the RB21, the car that has shown limitations so far this season.
A Focus on Development and Care for Lawson
Despite the decision to demote Lawson, Horner reassured that the team remains committed to his development. “We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam,” Horner explained. “After such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience in a familiar environment, with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, as he continues his F1 career.”
Lawson’s Rapid Rise and Red Bull’s Recent Struggles
Lawson, who was promoted to Red Bull this year after a handful of appearances for the team’s junior outfit, was initially brought in to replace Sergio Perez, who had been with the team for four seasons. However, Red Bull, which had dominated F1 in previous years, has seen a decline in performance, with Max Verstappen securing just two wins in his last 16 appearances. Despite these struggles, Verstappen remains second in the championship standings.
Looking Ahead: Tsunoda’s Role with Red Bull
Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull signifies a significant opportunity for the Japanese driver to showcase his talents on a larger stage. The team is hopeful that his experience will help stabilize the team’s performance and contribute to the development of the RB21 ahead of future races.
