Liam Lawson's Red Bull journey: A promising start turned sour

Dominika Jordan
Mar 27, 2025, 06:55 AM ET

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Liam Lawson’s brief tenure with Red Bull epitomizes the high-pressure, high-stakes world of Formula 1. What began as a dream promotion for the 22-year-old Kiwi swiftly descended into a challenging ordeal, culminating in his return to the Racing Bulls team.

The rise

Lawson was thrilled when he got the call to replace Sergio Pérez at Red Bull. Speaking to ESPN, he described the opportunity as "probably the hardest place to be but it comes with the most opportunities."

"There's no one better to learn off, or be alongside [than Verstappen].

"It's just cool to see everyone I've been working with for a few years. Now, to be an official driver, that's exciting."

"I have a goal of winning world championships and that's what I'm here to do. I want to get to a level to be able to do that as quickly as possible next year."

His enthusiasm was palpable as he geared up to learn from Max Verstappen, aiming to scale the heights of Formula 1 success.

Initial impressions

Lawson's initial visits to Red Bull's Milton Keynes headquarters and his first seat fit were filled with optimism. His early testing sessions, including a spin during pre-season testing in Bahrain, were seen as part of the learning curve. Technical director Pierre Wache praised him, noting how his feedback closely matched Verstappen’s.

The pressure mounts

The season's commencement brought tough challenges almost immediately. Lawson struggled in practice sessions and experienced mechanical issues that hindered his performance. A power issue in Melbourne and a spin in the rain underscored his troubled start. Expert opinions and criticisms, including a jest from McLaren CEO Zak Brown, further compounded the pressure on Lawson.

Defiant yet struggling

Heading into subsequent races, Lawson's performances remained underwhelming. In China, despite a defiant attitude to any criticism and dismissing Brown's comments, he continued to underperform. His statistics were stark, with qualifying stints and race results lagging significantly behind his teammate and other competitors.

The decision

Mounting speculation about Lawson’s replacement reached a climax after China. Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner finally announced the decision, citing the need for experienced input to improve the car’s performance. Yuki Tsunoda was seen as the answer, given his familiarity with the team's infrastructure.

Lawson's short stint with Red Bull serves as a reminder of the relentless pressure within Formula 1. While his initial hopes were high, the reality was a steep mountain fraught with immediate obstacles and towering expectations. As Tsunoda steps in, the focus shifts to developing the RB21, while Lawson looks to rebuild and refine his approach with the Racing Bulls.