Liam Lawson Reveals 'Main Problem' After Red Bull Demotion

Liam Lawson has shed light on the primary challenge he faced after being demoted from Red Bull back to Racing Bulls: readapting to the car and finding his comfort zone. His mid-season switch required significant adjustments, which he had to make during race weekends, impacting his initial performance but ultimately leading to a strong recovery.

Why it matters:

Lawson's experience highlights the brutal realities of Formula 1, where driver performance is not just about raw talent but also about intricate familiarity with the machinery. His candid remarks offer insight into the difficulties even a highly rated young driver faces when thrust into unexpected circumstances, and how critical comfort in the car is for maximizing potential.

The Details:

• Lawson was initially promoted to the senior Red Bull team, replacing Sergio Perez for the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.
• He was then swapped out for Yuki Tsunoda, despite having no prior F1 experience at either Albert Park or Shanghai.
• Upon returning to Racing Bulls, Lawson found the VCARB-02 required a "quite different approach to driving" compared to the RB21 he started the season with.
• Readaptation Challenge: Lawson explained that the "main problem" involved adjusting to "all those small aspects that make you comfortable with the car," which are typically sorted before the season begins.
  • He had to undertake these crucial adjustments during actual race weekends, rather than pre-season testing, impacting his early performance post-demotion.
• Team Support: Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies played a crucial supportive role, with Lawson crediting Mekies for his understanding of drivers and personal approach to helping him adapt.
• Recent Performance: Since the Austrian GP, Lawson has shown strong form, securing a career-best fifth place in Azerbaijan and a third-place start on the Baku grid.
• He is currently just nine points behind his teammate Isack Hadjar, who is being tipped as a potential 2026 teammate for Max Verstappen.

What's next:

Lawson's journey underscores the constant pressure on young drivers in F1. While his initial demotion was a setback, his resilience and recent strong performances demonstrate his determination to secure a permanent F1 seat. The focus will now be on whether his continued impressive showings can pave his way back into a full-time role in the competitive F1 grid, especially as driver lineups for 2025 and 2026 begin to solidify.