Liam Lawson’s ambition to reach the pinnacle of motorsport remains unwavering despite a brief and difficult start to the 2025 Formula 1 season. The New Zealand driver, who was dropped from Red Bull’s senior squad after just two races, is determined to continue pursuing his dream of becoming world champion.
The 2025 campaign began with Red Bull fielding Max Verstappen alongside Lawson, while Yuki Tsunoda and rookie Isack Hadjar occupied seats at Racing Bulls. However, Lawson’s time at the senior team was short-lived; he failed to finish his first race, and soon Tsunoda was recalled to the top-tier Red Bull Racing team, pushing Lawson back down the grid. Both Lawson and Tsunoda have since struggled to find consistent form.
Lawson’s Candid Reflections on His Red Bull Journey and Future Outlook
Interviewed by Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Liam Lawson acknowledged the challenging situation surrounding his Red Bull status and clarified where his goals stand. He emphasized that while joining Red Bull Racing was a significant ambition, his ultimate aspiration remains to become a Formula 1 world champion.
“It’s tough. As much as I wanted to be a Red Bull Racing driver, and that’s what I worked towards, from becoming a Red Bull junior, the dream I’ve had since I was five years old, has been world champion, winning in Formula 1 and reaching the top of the sport. That’s more or less where my dream sits, where my goal is, trying to become the best. That’s what we’re all working towards. Where I do that is not so clear as much as I thought it was.”
?Liam Lawson, F1 Driver
Lawson’s two-race tenure with Red Bull Racing is among the shortest in modern F1 history, yet his future remains linked to Red Bull’s driver lineup strategies. For 2026, four seats across Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls await drivers. Max Verstappen’s position is secure, and 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad, who already possesses a superlicence, is expected to secure a Racing Bulls seat.
Additionally, Isack Hadjar’s strong performance this season has propelled him into contention for promotion alongside Verstappen, setting up a potential battle over remaining positions between Lawson and Tsunoda. Since returning to Racing Bulls, Lawson has improved his form, while Tsunoda has scored just nine points since his move upwards.
At present, Lawson is concentrating on consistency and maintaining his competitiveness as Red Bull’s roster reshuffle approaches.
Lessons from Early Setbacks and Steady Progress in 2025
Liam Lawson’s racing journey has been marked by rapid rises and significant challenges. He joined the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2019 and quickly earned a Formula 1 debut with AlphaTauri in 2023, replacing the injured Daniel Ricciardo. His early promise showed when he scored points in only his second race at Singapore.
Lawson’s role in 2024 as Red Bull’s reserve driver positioned him for a senior promotion to race alongside Verstappen at the start of 2025. Unfortunately, after just two Grand Prix weekends, his opportunity was cut short, forcing him back to Racing Bulls. Lawson reflected on this setback with insight:
“Doing it over again, there are probably things that, yes, maybe, you can do differently. You always learn things afterwards. You always look back in hindsight. There are always things you can do better.”
?Liam Lawson, F1 Driver
Despite a rocky start, Lawson’s season has recently found more stability. After failing to score in his opening seven races, he has collected points in four of the last six events and currently holds 20 points—18 fewer than his rookie teammate Isack Hadjar.
With eight races left in the 2025 season, Lawson recognizes their pivotal importance for his Formula 1 trajectory, especially as team decisions loom for the following year.
The Broader Context of Red Bull’s Driver Lineup and Lawson’s Path Forward
Red Bull’s driver program remains one of the most competitive and scrutinized in Formula 1. The disparity in seats means promises of advancement to junior drivers are not guaranteed, and performance consistency plays a crucial role in securing or regaining top-tier seats.
Lawson’s persistence reflects a long-held passion for F1 success, rooted in a childhood dream to stand atop the sport. His ongoing focus on consistency and development suggests a resilience that could keep him in contention for future opportunities within Red Bull’s system or elsewhere.
As the 2025 season progresses, the coming months will be critical for Lawson to demonstrate his capability, maintain momentum, and ensure that his Liam Lawson F1 ambition remains alive within the fiercely competitive environment of Formula 1.
