The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix became a milestone in Liam Lawson’s young Formula 1 career as he secured his best finish to date, showcasing impressive skill at the Baku circuit. Despite starting third on the grid for Racing Bulls and delivering a strong race, Lawson has now openly shifted his ambitions away from returning to Red Bull Racing, embracing a broader vision for his future in the sport.
Lawson’s Impressive Performance on a Slippery Baku Track
Liam Lawson earned a remarkable third place on the grid during qualifying by posting a sharp Q3 lap on the damp streets of Baku. While he initially lost positions to both Mercedes cars at the race start, he quickly seized the opportunity to overtake Yuki Tsunoda for fifth place following the Japanese driver’s pitstop. This overtaking move was symbolic given Tsunoda, who once took Lawson’s seat at Red Bull this season, earned his best result since the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane lauded Lawson’s drive, highlighting
“20 perfect laps towards the end, keeping those cars behind him”
, which played a crucial role in securing valuable points for the team. Meanwhile, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko shared with Motorsport.com the tactical battle on track:
“It was a very good fight. We told Yuki to do fast laps before the pitstop. So the goal from our side was that he’s ahead of Lawson, which worked… But obviously the tyres were not really warm, so Lawson used the chance and overtook him. And it was a really good fight between the two. Both were fast, because Yuki was sometimes within one tenth, but that shows that there is competition between the two teams.”
The Backstory: From Red Bull Hopeful to Racing Bulls Contender
At the onset of the 2025 season, Red Bull had promoted Lawson over Tsunoda, believing the New Zealand-born driver held greater promise. However, after a shaky start where Lawson struggled in qualifying—positioning 18th and 20th several times—Red Bull reconsidered this strategy. Lawson, acknowledging the setback, voiced his dissatisfaction with these decisions, which dented his confidence during his return to Faenza with Racing Bulls.
His first nine qualifying sessions back evidenced difficulties, as he faced technical challenges twice and was significantly outpaced by rookie teammate Isack Hadjar, with an 8-1 margin in favor of Hadjar. Early races saw Lawson contending with frequent incidents and lackluster pace, further compounding pressure as he tried to regain footing in Formula 1.
Nonetheless, Lawson’s relentless improvement over the second half of the season has been notable. His average qualifying deficit to Hadjar shrank dramatically—from 0.208 seconds between Japan and Canada, excluding mechanical issues—to a mere 0.009 seconds in eight subsequent sessions. Except for an unfortunate puncture at the Dutch Grand Prix caused by a minor collision with Carlos Sainz, once Lawson reached Q3, he consistently finished within the top eight while delivering clean, solid races.
Significant Contributions and Growing Reputation in the Midfield
Accumulating 26 points since the summer break, Lawson ranks as Formula 1’s eighth-best performer in that period among midfield drivers. Only Alex Albon, with 28 points, surpassed him, while Isack Hadjar trails at 18 points. Lawson’s efforts have been instrumental in propelling Racing Bulls up from eighth to sixth place in the constructors’ championship over the last three grands prix, marking a vital turnaround for the Italian-based team.
Despite his upward trajectory, Lawson is not in the frame for a Red Bull Racing seat in 2026, and importantly, he has accepted that this is no longer his ultimate career goal.
Lawson Reflects on Shifting Personal Ambitions
At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix press conference, Lawson candidly addressed his evolving mindset:
“I spent a long time, especially joining [Red Bull] as a junior at 17, just looking at how to get to Red Bull Racing – that was where I saw my future,”
he said. He went on to explain a broader perspective:
“Maybe… Not that I forgot why I do it, but that was so much of the goal. It’s easier now to sit back and realise the goal has always been winning and getting to the top, and it doesn’t need to be specific to where that is.”
This shift highlights Lawson’s mature approach to his racing career, emphasizing success at the highest levels irrespective of which team he drives for.
The Road Ahead for Liam Lawson and Racing Bulls
Lawson’s consistent progress and resilience signal a bright future with Racing Bulls, strengthening his case for retention in the 2026 season. As he distances himself from previous dreams tied exclusively to Red Bull Racing, he opens the door to broader possibilities within Formula 1. His recent exploits in Azerbaijan and throughout the latter part of the season have proven that he belongs among the sport’s competitive midfield ranks, offering Racing Bulls a valuable asset in their quest to climb further in the championship.
Looking forward, Lawson’s focus will likely remain on refining his racecraft and capitalizing on his growing experience to secure solid points finishes, helping Racing Bulls challenge more established teams. This reflective yet determined mindset could prove pivotal for his continued development as a promising driver on the Formula 1 grid.
