Liam Lawson has firmly rejected claims that his confidence suffered after his brief and difficult two-race experience at Red Bull at the beginning of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The New Zealander insists that despite the setbacks, his belief in himself remained intact throughout the period.
Lawson was brought in as a replacement for Sergio Perez for the start of the season following his promising performances over eight races with Racing Bulls. However, his time with Red Bull was cut short after just two appearances on the grid, in which he qualified towards the back and struggled to perform. Consequently, Lawson was moved back to Racing Bulls, but his results did not immediately improve, and he has been outpaced by his rookie teammate, Isack Hadjar.
Liam Lawson on Maintaining Mental Strength During Tough Times
In a candid interview with F1.com, Lawson addressed the rumors about his mindset following the tough stint at Red Bull. He emphasized that his confidence was never compromised despite the challenges he faced early in the season.
I think I would say one thing to be clear about is that between the first couple of races, to the team switch, then going to Japan, mentally for me nothing changed,
Lawson explained as he leaned back during the discussion.
He added,
It’s been very heavily speculated that my confidence took a hit and stuff like this, which is completely false. From the start of the year, I felt the same as I always have.
He further reflected on the short time he spent at Red Bull, stating that two races on unfamiliar tracks were insufficient to impact his confidence seriously. Lawson said,
I think in two races, on tracks I’d never been to, it’s not really enough for my confidence… maybe six months into a season, if I’m still at that level, if the results are still like that, then I’d be feeling something – maybe my confidence would be taking a hit.
Lawson’s Perspective on His Red Bull Experience and Adaptation Challenges
Lawson believes the main issue was the lack of time to adapt to the Red Bull car, the RB21, which affected his performances. He pointed out that his replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, who took over at the Japanese Grand Prix, is also having a difficult time adjusting, with limited improvements visible in his results as well.
He acknowledged awareness of his underwhelming pace but insisted his focus remained on learning and improving, maintaining the same determination he possessed since entering Formula 1.
Lawson highlighted several obstacles including restricted testing opportunities and complications during Melbourne practice sessions, which hampered a smooth transition to the new environment. He said,
I was well aware that those results weren’t good enough, but I was just focused on improving, fixing and learning, basically. I was in the same mindset as I have been since I came into F1.
The pressure to adapt quickly without adequate preparation frustrated him, and he expressed that more time was necessary to become comfortable with the team and car. Lawson confessed that much of the speculation about his mental state has been overlooked by himself as he concentrated solely on driving the car.
He concluded clearly,
My confidence hasn’t changed since the start of the year to now.
Implications for Lawson’s Future and Career Prospects
Lawson’s clarification provides insight into the mental resilience required in Formula 1 and the difficulties faced when adjusting rapidly to top-tier team environments. His comments suggest that while early struggles can be challenging, maintaining confidence is crucial for long-term development.
With the rest of the 2025 season ahead, Lawson’s determination to improve and prove himself remains evident, despite earlier setbacks. His ongoing rivalry with teammates like Isack Hadjar and the experience gained from time at Red Bull could play a significant role in his growth as a driver.
How Lawson builds on this foundation over the coming races will be closely watched by both fans and teams, as confidence and consistency are key factors in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Liam Lawson lose his seat?
A. Red Bull thought the New Zealander had greater potential than Tsunoda and could handle the pressure of F1’s toughest spot. Horner and team adviser Helmut Marko felt confident that Lawson was the right choice. However, for the 23-year-old, it proved to be overwhelming too quickly.
Q. Will Liam Lawson get a seat in 2025?
A. In 2025, Lawson joined the senior Red Bull team from Racing Bulls, replacing Sergio Perez to become Max Verstappen’s teammate. After only two races, Red Bull dropped the 23-year-old New Zealander because his performances in Australia and China did not meet their standards.
