Liam Lawson reflects on ‘tough’ Red Bull demotion

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Liam Lawson has described his sudden demotion from Red Bull as "tough" in his first social media post since the decision was confirmed. The New Zealand driver was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull announced on Thursday.

Lawson, who was elevated to the senior team after just 11 Formula 1 races with the junior outfit, found it challenging to keep pace alongside Max Verstappen. He notably qualified last for both the sprint and the main race in China. Red Bull defended the decision as a "purely sporting" one, citing Tsunoda’s four years of F1 experience as crucial for addressing issues with the RB21 car.

In a heartfelt social media post, Lawson shared his reflections on the news. The post included several childhood photos, one featuring a drawing labeled "Liam" and "F1 driver." In the caption, he expressed his emotions and gratitude:

"Being a @redbullracing driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it's what I've worked towards my whole life. It's tough, but I'm grateful for everything that's brought me to this point. To every one of you who's stood by me, thank you for all the support. It means the world."

He added, "Thank you @visacashapprb for the warm welcome, I'm excited and ready to go to work at one of my favorite places."

Red Bull emphasized their commitment to Lawson's development in their announcement, stating the team has "a duty of care to protect and develop Liam," and that his F1 progression would be better served by moving him back to the junior team. Notably, Lawson's tenure in the senior team was the shortest among drivers promoted from the junior team, having participated in only 11 races.

The swift change has sparked discussions within the motorsport community, as fans and critics alike weigh in on the implications for both Lawson and Red Bull's future strategy.

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