P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Liam Lawson was relieved of his seat at Red Bull after only two rounds, demoted back to Racing Bulls for Yuki Tsunoda. On reflection, it is a decision that both destroyed and saved the New Zealander.
In late 2024, Red Bull terminated Sergio Perez’s contract, ending his partnership with Max Verstappen due to poor performance, impacting the team’s F1 standings. Liam Lawson replaced Perez soon after, chosen for his potential over Yuki Tsunoda, but struggled in the RB21 from the start. Lawson’s difficulties continued into the Chinese Grand Prix, leading to his demotion back to Racing Bulls and Tsunoda taking his place, a controversial decision with significant consequences.
Returning to Racing Bulls, Lawson faced challenges adapting, while new teammate Isack Hadjar excelled, putting his position at risk in light of emerging talent Arvid Lindblad. Red Bull’s handling of Lawson’s situation drew criticism, especially considering past struggles of Verstappen’s teammates. Lawson revealed in an interview that decisions made by Red Bull were turned against him, causing his premature exit from the team. Despite the setbacks, Lawson hoped for more time to develop and learn in F1 before being replaced abruptly, raising questions about Red Bull’s approach.
