Liam Lawson details mindset shift after Red Bull demotion to Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson has opened up about the mental adjustment required to find speed in the Racing Bulls car after a tough mid-season demotion from the front-running Red Bull team. The New Zealander, who started 2025 as Sergio Perez's replacement, struggled for form and was swiftly moved back to the sister squad, eventually finding his footing and scoring points consistently in the latter half of the season.

Why it matters:

A driver's ability to mentally reset and perform after a high-profile demotion is a critical test of resilience in Formula 1. Lawson's experience highlights the stark performance gap between a top team and a midfield contender, and his eventual adaptation provides a blueprint for handling one of the sport's most challenging career setbacks.

The details:

• Lawson began the 2025 season at Red Bull but was moved back to Racing Bulls ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix after struggling for results.
• He revealed that finding speed in the car wasn't the primary issue; understanding and achieving consistency with the Racing Bulls package was the real challenge.
• The turning point came after a "significant change" was made to the car setup around the Austrian Grand Prix, which unlocked more predictable performance.
• His patience paid off with a career-best fifth-place finish in Azerbaijan and a string of points finishes to close the season, proving he could extract the car's potential.

The big picture:

Lawson's journey from Red Bull's premier seat to rebuilding his confidence at Racing Bulls underscores the immense pressure and technical adjustment drivers face when moving between tiers of the grid. His successful recalibration, securing a 2026 seat alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad, stabilizes his F1 career and positions him as a experienced hand within the Red Bull driver program, keeping future options open.

What's next:

With a full season at Racing Bulls ahead in 2026, Lawson will aim to build on his late-2025 form and establish himself as the clear team leader. Consistent points finishes and occasional standout results will be the target to solidify his reputation and potentially put his name back in contention for a future return to the senior Red Bull team.