Liam Lawson resolute in F1 ambitions after Red Bull setback

Dominika Jordan
Apr 3, 2025, 05:05 AM ET

In a surprising turn of events, Liam Lawson has found himself back with the junior Racing Bulls team after just two races into the new Formula 1 season. Despite the setback, the 23-year-old New Zealander remains resolute in his determination to make a significant impact in the sport.

Lawson, who initially joined Red Bull as the teammate of world champion Max Verstappen, expressed his surprise at the decision to replace him with Yuki Tsunoda so early in the season.

"I had a phone call, basically saying that this was what was going to happen," Lawson shared with reporters at Suzuka on Thursday. "It was something I wasn't expecting so early. It's something that obviously is not my decision and for me, it's about making the most of obviously this opportunity now and obviously still being in Formula 1, I still have that."

The young driver had struggled in his opening races, qualifying 18th and failing to finish in Australia, then qualifying last for both the sprint and main race in China. Nevertheless, he left Shanghai with his focus set on the upcoming round in Japan.

A stint in Japan's Super Formula championship has left Lawson well-acquainted with the Suzuka circuit, enhancing his enthusiasm for the next race. "That was something I was obviously looking forward to from the start, to be honest, to go to a track that I've been to before," he said. "Just have a proper sort of preparation, and I now have that. So it's exciting to be here at a track that's one of my favorite tracks to drive on. So yeah, I'm very excited."

Max Verstappen also weighed in on the situation, indicating his support for Lawson. The reigning world champion admitted he "liked" social media posts that criticized the swap decision as "panicky."

Lawson acknowledged that the possibility of returning to Red Bull is still on the table. "I guess, in a way, that's great, but obviously I was already there starting the season," he noted. "So look, whatever happens down the line is more or less how do I control what I control and that's the driving stuff. So where the future goes, honestly, at this point I'm not really thinking about too much."

Reflecting on the volatility of opportunities in Formula 1, Lawson remains positive. "If I look back a year ago, I had no seat. I was here a year ago, watching and wishing I was racing," he recalled. "So for me, the main thing is being in a car."

As Lawson gears up for Suzuka, the young driver’s determination and focus will be crucial in carving out a lasting impression in the high-stakes world of Formula 1 racing.