Lawson unfazed by Brown's Tsunoda comments

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

SHANGHAI -- Liam Lawson dismissed comments from McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who suggested Red Bull should have promoted Yuki Tsunoda instead of him this year.

Brown's remarks came after Lawson qualified 18th for Red Bull in the first session of the season. Brown, harboring a grudge against Red Bull's Christian Horner, said Tsunoda, who qualified fifth for Racing Bulls, was more deserving of the spot alongside Max Verstappen. “Yuki did a great job, [he's] probably the guy that should be in the Red Bull if you look at how he's performed. But they [Red Bull] seem to make some strange driver choices,” Brown commented.

Lawson's debut worsened on race day as he crashed out on lap 46. Regarding Brown's comments, the New Zealander said, “I couldn't care less what Zak says to be honest. I haven't spoken to him, I don't really think ever, and I haven't read any social media for the last two weeks."

Tsunoda appreciated Brown's support but noted such remarks are common. “I appreciate what Zak said about me in the press, but we just want to race,” he stated. Tsunoda highlighted the ongoing speculations about Red Bull's driver choices and emphasized focusing on his performance. “I have a lot more to improve to prove myself, so I just focus on that,” he concluded.

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