Liam Lawson expressed surprise at his abrupt dismissal from Red Bull, feeling caught off guard by Christian Horner’s decision. Lawson was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after failing to secure any points in the initial races of the Formula 1 season in Australia and China. Despite initially winning the position over Tsunoda, Lawson struggled with the RB21 and was swiftly moved to Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls.
Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Lawson, 23, shared his perspective on the unexpected turn of events. He described the situation as a shock, emphasizing that the discussions leading up to his removal did not hint at such an outcome. When asked if he was frustrated by the limited time he had, Lawson admitted to wishing for more opportunities, especially at familiar tracks where he believed he could perform better.
Team principal Horner made the decision to replace Lawson early in the season after consultations with Red Bull engineers who felt Lawson was struggling beyond quick resolution. Horner acknowledged the difficulty of altering someone’s aspirations but defended the move as necessary for Lawson’s development. He highlighted that the decision was based on the challenging start Lawson had faced and the team’s belief in his potential for growth back at Racing Bulls.
Horner explained that the team observed Lawson’s struggles in Australia and China, recognizing the toll it took on him. Concerned engineers flagged Lawson’s difficulties to Horner, prompting the change to support both Lawson and Tsunoda effectively. The decision, though tough, was deemed logical given the circumstances.
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