The Formula One world was taken aback following Red Bull’s unexpected decision to demote rookie Liam Lawson to the Racing Bulls (VCARB) team soon after the Chinese Grand Prix. The announcement came just two races into the 2025 season, positioning Yuki Tsunoda for a promotion to the senior team. Tsunoda is expected to make his debut at the Japanese Grand Prix on home soil, marking a significant shift in team dynamics.
Liam Lawson’s performance during the initial two races was below par, as he struggled to move past Q3 and failed to secure a top 10 finish. While Lawson was held accountable for these results, contributing factors such as car issues played a substantial role. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton expressed his perspective on the situation during a media session, stating that he was not surprised by Red Bull’s decision.
“I am not surprised to see it from them,” Hamilton remarked. “I don’t really have any views on it. Both are great drivers. I think we have got a lot of really great drivers here, particularly young, talented drivers. I think there’s naturally a lot of pressure on youngsters coming in.”
Hamilton anticipated this move, attributing it to Red Bull’s history and the immense pressure young drivers face within the team. He emphasized the difficulties Lawson encountered, as the Kiwi racer was granted merely two races to prove himself on unfamiliar tracks with a notoriously challenging car. Hamilton considered the decision unjustly swift.
“There is no way you can fully get on top of a car which is known to not be the easiest car to drive. Just to give him two races is pretty harsh,” Hamilton commented.
Liam Lawson’s former teammate Max Verstappen also expressed discontent with the abrupt swap. Though he exercised caution in his media comments, Verstappen subtly conveyed his frustration through social media, including liking an Instagram post that criticized Red Bull. He highlighted the challenges rookies face due to the demanding schedule, immense pressure, and a lack of experience on various tracks.
“I think for rookies, always at the beginning of the season, you have the calendar nowadays, and F1 is very tough. Because most of the tracks, they haven’t really driven on, or they maybe have a sprint weekend. So, all these scenarios, they don’t help,” Verstappen stated.
The motorsports community at large views Red Bull’s verdict as rash and untimely, with many asserting that Lawson was deserving of more time to adjust and prove his capabilities. The spotlight now falls on Yuki Tsunoda as he gears up to take over Lawson’s car at the Japanese Grand Prix; the performance he delivers will determine whether Red Bull’s swift call pays off or backfires.
As the dust settles, the motorsport world watches eagerly to see if Tsunoda can leverage this opportunity to its fullest, amid strong opinions and notable skepticism about Red Bull’s decision. The unfolding events will undoubtedly contribute to an ongoing narrative of high stakes and intense competition in the world of Formula One.
