Liam Lawson has openly criticized Red Bull’s decision to replace him early in the 2025 Formula 1 season, arguing that he was not provided sufficient opportunity to demonstrate his full capacity as a driver. His complaints about the limited time to prove himself have sparked mixed reactions among F1 fans across social media platforms.

Lawson was unexpectedly replaced by Yuki Tsunoda following the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, which was just the second race weekend of the season. This move was widely regarded as abrupt and harsh, raising questions about Red Bull’s management choices.

In a recent interview, Lawson expressed frustration over the swift decision, emphasizing the challenges he faced adapting to the team and car amid limited testing and early-season difficulties.

“It was going to take a bit of time to adjust and learn. With no proper testing, the issues in testing, the issues in Melbourne through practice, it wasn’t smooth and clean.” said Lawson [via Formula 1’s official website]

“I needed time, and I wasn’t given it,” he added.

Following the driver‘s comments, fans on X (formerly Twitter) shared varied opinions regarding Lawson’s departure from Red Bull. While some sympathized with the Kiwi driver, others believed the replacement might ultimately benefit his career trajectory.

“Dude they saved your career. Yuki will likely be out of F1 at the end of the season and you will still be here next year. Be grateful,” said one fan.

“Red Bull did him dirty i agree, he should’ve had at least 6 races or something before deciding to drop him or not, glad he’s now in a team who gives him confidence,” said another user.

“Anyone that disagrees is an idiot. While I do think he would’ve been better than tsunoda, I don’t think it would’ve been anything special,” said another fan.

Other comments reflected a spectrum of criticism and support aimed at both Lawson and Red Bull’s decision-making process regarding the driver lineup.

“Don’t worry was Redbull screwed you over for extra ten million in Honda money. Which been a failure due to Yuki failing badly,” said a fan.

“This guy thinks he’s a legend in his own mind,” said another user.

“He’s not wrong, but on the other hand, he was breathing down everybody’s neck, saying he was the best, so.. Yep, reality is different!,” said another fan.

After the replacement, Lawson was moved to Racing Bulls, a team associated with Red Bull but considered a step down in the F1 hierarchy. Despite this setback, the 23-year-old showed resilience and recorded his best result so far this year by finishing sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Lawson Focuses on Performances with Racing Bulls Despite Red Bull Setback

In the face of his abrupt exit from Red Bull, Liam Lawson has maintained a determined mindset, choosing to concentrate fully on his current role at Racing Bulls throughout the remainder of the 2025 season. He has also addressed speculation about his confidence during this testing period.

Lawson told Formula 1’s official outlet that he has largely ignored negative noise and external opinions to focus on driving and improving his performance.

“I haven’t really talked much about it, because I think for a big part of this year, I’ve just ignored everything that happened, and I’ve just focused on trying to drive the car – but I know there was a lot of stuff that went out that was speculation about how I was feeling.” said Lawson.

“My confidence hasn’t changed since the start of the year to now,” he added.

Despite his steady confidence, Lawson is currently without a confirmed contract for the 2026 Formula 1 season. With more than half the year’s races completed, securing consistent and strong results with Racing Bulls could prove crucial for his future in the sport.

The Impact of Lawson’s Early Exit on His Career Prospects

Liam Lawson’s early dismissal from a Red Bull race seat could have lasting consequences on his position within Formula 1. While some fans believe the quick replacement by Yuki Tsunoda was detrimental, others argue it may open doors for Lawson to rebuild his career away from the immense pressure of the Red Bull main team.

The controversy highlights the pressures young drivers face in competitive F1 environments, where early decisions often have significant impacts on careers. Lawson’s public complaints about insufficient adaptation time bring attention to how driver management strategies can affect talent development.

Looking ahead, Lawson’s challenge will be to leverage his current opportunities at Racing Bulls to attract interest from teams willing to give him a more substantial role in 2026. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s decision to stick with Tsunoda remains under scrutiny, especially if Tsunoda struggles to meet expectations.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Why did Liam Lawson lose his seat?

A. Red Bull thought the New Zealander had more potential than the experienced Tsunoda and could manage the stress of a difficult F1 position. Horner and team adviser Helmut Marko felt Lawson was the right choice. However, it proved to be overwhelming for the 23-year-old at that time.

Q. Will Liam Lawson get a seat in 2025?

A. In 2025, Lawson moved from Racing Bulls to the main Red Bull team, replacing Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s teammate. Unfortunately, after just two races, the 23-year-old from New Zealand was let go because his performance in Australia and China didn’t meet Red Bull’s standards.