Lawson struggles in Red Bull debut at Australian Grand Prix

Dominika Jordan
Mar 16, 2025, 05:27 AM ET

MELBOURNE, Australia – Liam Lawson faced a challenging debut with Red Bull Racing at the Australian Grand Prix, culminating in a late-race crash that underscored a difficult weekend.

Lawson, stepping in for Sergio Perez for the 2025 season, was expected to complement Max Verstappen’s efforts but found the Australian GP an uphill battle from the start. After being eliminated in the first phase of qualifying, Lawson started the race from the pit lane following setup changes to his car — positioned ahead of only Haas driver Ollie Bearman.

Throughout the race, Lawson struggled to make headway through the field. However, a late rain shower prompted an attempt to gain positions by remaining on medium slicks while others opted for intermediate tires.

“We took a chance,” Lawson reflected on the strategy. “We hoped that at least half of the track would stay dry. We knew sector three was bad, but we thought sector one would remain a bit drier, so we continued. Unfortunately, it was bucketing down with rain.”

Lawson's gamble did not pay off. As he navigated Turn 2 on Lap 47, the treacherous conditions caused him to lose control, resulting in a crash that ended his race. “At that point, to be honest, I had backed out of pushing because it was so wet,” he explained. “I was just trying to stay on the track. But obviously, it’s not ideal.”

Reflecting on the performance, Lawson admitted his disappointment. “Yeah, we were really struggling to be honest. I had a lot of tire issues with the front early on in the race, so it’s just been a tough weekend.”

Lawson will look to bounce back and find his footing as the season progresses, aiming to deliver the support Red Bull requires to maintain their competitive edge.