Red Bull Racing has faced significant challenges recently, including a steep performance decline and major leadership upheavals. Following Christian Horner’s unexpected departure as team principal, Liam Lawson, who was Max Verstappen’s teammate for two races, has shared his perspective on the current situation within the team, offering insight into the fallout and the road ahead in this Max Verstappen Red Bull update.
Liam Lawson Reflects on His Brief Tenure and Team Dynamics
Liam Lawson’s rapid promotion to the Red Bull senior team for the 2025 season, chosen over Yuki Tsunoda due to perceived speed advantage, was short-lived. After just two races, Lawson was replaced by Tsunoda and sent back to the sister team, Racing Bulls. Despite the abrupt change, Lawson indicated he did not perceive substantial tension within the outfit during his stint. He emphasized that his focus remained on his own performance rather than on the broader team atmosphere or internal politics.
Christian Horner’s enforced exit followed allegations of misconduct involving a female employee, which led to widespread criticism despite Horner being cleared twice of any wrongdoing. This controversy created a complicated environment around his leadership, provoking speculation and ultimately his removal.
Lawson commented on whether he sensed underlying issues during his time in the senior squad, stating:
“No, I don’t think so, It’s not something I noticed. If I was trying to be very aware of everybody’s position, then maybe I would figure something out.”
—Liam Lawson, as reported by Motorsportweek
Lawson explained that his limited time with the team meant his awareness of the fine details and wider dynamics was constrained. Instead, he concentrated on his personal experience and decisions affecting his role in the team.
“But I had so much to think about myself. I only know what the decisions were with what happened with me and I made that very clear to everybody how I felt about that.”
—Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson Draws Distinction Between Leadership at Red Bull and Racing Bulls
After being moved back to Racing Bulls, where Laurent Mekies oversees operations, Lawson highlighted the contrast in his working relationship compared to his brief time with Christian Horner at Red Bull. The Kiwi driver underlined that, given his two-race tenure at Red Bull, he was not positioned to offer strong judgments on Horner’s leadership or the internal workings at Milton Keynes.
He said:
“I was at Red Bull for two races, so I didn’t really work much with Red Bull, It’s hard to say in two races. Honestly, I spent most of my time working with Laurent.”
—Liam Lawson
Lawson has spent more time collaborating with Mekies both during his current season and previously at Faenza, which influenced his perspective on team management styles. This ongoing relationship contrasts with the limited exposure he had to Horner’s leadership and the dynamics within the parent team before Horner’s departure.
The Impact of Horner’s Departure and the Future Challenge for Red Bull
Red Bull’s decision to part ways with Horner marks a profound shift for the Milton Keynes outfit, which has depended heavily on stable leadership during their championship runs. With Max Verstappen continuing to carry the team’s hopes, the squad faces significant pressure to regain competitive consistency and points haul as they adjust to new management under Mekies.
The team’s ongoing struggle to find a reliable second driver to partner Verstappen adds to the complexity of their challenge. The instability in the driver lineup, exemplified by Lawson’s brief promotion and subsequent demotion, illustrates the difficulty Red Bull is experiencing beyond the front-running driver.
Amid these internal shifts and external expectations, Red Bull’s path back to title contention appears uncertain. The team must navigate rebuilding trust, stability, and performance depth while managing the shadow cast by Horner’s controversial exit. This transition period highlights the fragility and unpredictability that can arise following leadership upheaval in top-tier motorsport teams.
