Liam Lawson brands Red Bull stint 'a very shit time' after securing F1 future

Liam Lawson has offered a candid and damning verdict on his short-lived and challenging tenure at Red Bull, describing it as "a very shit time," as he reflects on a turbulent season that ultimately ended with a secured Formula 1 seat for 2026.

Why it matters:

Lawson's frank admission highlights the intense pressure and potential for disillusionment faced by drivers thrust into top teams without adequate preparation or support. His survival and subsequent contract with Racing Bulls underscore the resilience required to navigate F1's cutthroat driver market, especially within the Red Bull ecosystem.

The details:

• Lawson replaced Sergio Perez at Red Bull for the first two races of the season but was quickly demoted back to Racing Bulls (then AlphaTauri) after an underwhelming start, which included a crash in Australia and a 12th-place finish in China.
• He struggled initially upon his return but recovered form, scoring points in seven of the final 17 races.
• His efforts were rewarded with a confirmed seat at Racing Bulls for the 2026 season.
• When reflecting on the season, Lawson stated, "It's been a tough year," and emphasized the need to process the experiences during the off-season.
• Regarding his Red Bull chapter, he was blunt: "It feels like so long ago, to be honest... I don't even remember that much of it. It was a very shit time, honestly."

Looking ahead:

With his future secured, Lawson's focus is on applying the hard lessons from a tumultuous 2025. His primary goal of surviving the season and earning another opportunity has been achieved, setting the stage for a more stable and potentially successful campaign with Racing Bulls next year, where he will aim to build on his late-season momentum.