Liam Lawson’s 2025 Formula 1 journey has been anything but smooth, beginning with a short-lived Red Bull stint before a difficult return to Racing Bulls. Team Principal Alan Permane has now revealed the New Zealander was “downbeat” after the demotion, but praised him for the way he has fought back and turned his form around. With a breakthrough performance in Austria and renewed energy in recent races, Lawson’s story is quickly shifting from disappointment to resilience as he rebuilds his confidence.
Key Highlights
-
Alan Permane admits Lawson was “downbeat” after Red Bull demotion
-
Rookie bounced back strongly with Racing Bulls despite difficult start
-
Breakthrough came with sixth-place finish in Austria and new suspension upgrade
-
Lawson praises team’s pace but pushes for more consistency
-
Racing Bulls leadership highlights Lawson’s growth alongside teammate Isack Hadjar
A Tough Start to the Season
Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen at the start of the 2025 campaign was short-lived. After only two challenging race weekends, the rookie was moved back to sister team Racing Bulls, with Yuki Tsunoda retaking the senior squad seat. The abrupt change left Lawson adapting to a new car, the VCARB 02, with no prior experience or testing opportunities. It was a daunting reset for the young driver, who had to regroup quickly while facing teammate Isack Hadjar, one of the most impressive performers of the season. For Lawson, the early weeks were marked by disappointment and visible strain as he worked to adjust and prove himself again.
Alan Permane’s Candid Assessment
In Hungary’s Team Principal press conference, Alan Permane offered a frank reflection on Lawson’s state of mind after the demotion.
“He’s done a great job, honestly. Two races at Red Bull, obviously, were very tough for him. He won’t thank me for saying this, but he definitely was a bit downbeat. He didn’t have a spring in his step, and we’ve done what we can to help him there. To jump in our car straight away without having tested it was, of course, not easy. He’s up against Isack [Hadjar] who has been outstanding this year. [The] first race for him was Japan and Isack was absolutely flying there. So, it’s a tough introduction for him, but we’ve made some changes. He’s worked hard. Him and his engineering team have worked really, really hard.” – Alan Permane
Permane highlighted Lawson’s resilience and the collaborative efforts with his engineering team to steady his performances. According to the Racing Bulls boss, the turning point came with a key upgrade that gave Lawson both technical confidence and mental momentum.
Austria as a Turning Point
Lawson’s sixth-place finish in Austria was more than just points on the board—it was the moment he visibly regained belief in himself. Racing Bulls introduced a new front suspension specifically for Lawson, which was tested extensively on the simulator before being installed. The change delivered immediate results.
“We had a bit of a breakthrough in Austria. We had a new front suspension for [Lawson], which they developed through the simulator, and he really liked it. [He] was really enthusiastic about it, and it worked there. We saw in Spa again, he’s performing – you could see after that race. Monaco was a decent race for him, but Austria, he had a spring back in his step.” – Alan Permane
From that point, Lawson collected 16 points from three of the final four races before the summer break, signaling a shift in both form and outlook. His improvement reassured the team that his earlier struggles were not permanent, but rather part of an adjustment period under difficult circumstances.
Lawson’s Own View
Despite his clear progress, Lawson has maintained high expectations for himself. In an interview with F1.com, the rookie admitted that his Austria result was not enough and stressed the importance of building consistency across weekends.
“I think recently, performance-wise, it’s been our strongest [phase]. The car’s been fast, and I’ve also been probably at a level that I wasn’t quite at before that. I would say there hasn’t been enough points scored, for sure. Austria was great, but it’s not enough. We need to be doing stuff like that as much as we can. I think the consistency is what’s been tough.” – Liam Lawson
His comments underline a determination to go beyond brief flashes of success and establish himself as a steady contender, proving he can withstand the pressures of Formula 1 at the highest level.
News in Brief: Alan Permane Explains Liam Lawson’s Transformation
Alan Permane has admitted that Liam Lawson was “downbeat” after being demoted from Red Bull back to Racing Bulls early in 2025. The rookie faced a tough reset in a car he had never driven before, competing against standout teammate Isack Hadjar. However, a breakthrough sixth-place finish in Austria, supported by a new front suspension upgrade, reignited his confidence and form. Lawson insists more consistency is needed despite scoring 16 points from recent races.
ALSO READ: Liam Lawson Formula 1 Performance Shines Amid Cautious Late-Season Expectations
