Liam Lawson recently opened up about what he described as a “tough” transition after learning he would be stepping down from his dream role at Red Bull. This update came to light following his debut social media post after Red Bull made it official.
Red Bull announced on Thursday that Lawson would be replaced by Yuki Tsunoda starting with the Japanese Grand Prix. The team outlined that the decision was strictly for competitive reasons, highlighting Tsunoda’s extensive four-year experience in Formula 1 as a key factor in fine-tuning the RB21 car.
After being thrust into the higher ranks with just 11 Formula 1 races under his belt at the junior team, Lawson had a tough go competing alongside Max Verstappen and ended up qualifying last in both the sprint and the main event in China. He shared his thoughts on this shake-up through a brief message featuring childhood snaps, including a drawing labeled with his name and “F1 driver.”
His caption was heartfelt: “Being part of @redbullracing has been my dream since I was a kid, and it’s what I’ve worked towards all my life. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I’m thankful for everything that has led me here. To everyone who’s backed me, your support means everything.”
In a note of optimism, he added, “Thank you @visacashapprb for the warm welcome. I’m really eager and ready to start working at one of my favorite places.”
Red Bull addressed Lawson’s situation by explaining that their priority is nurturing and developing his talent, suggesting that he would benefit more from returning to the junior ranks to hone his skills.
As it stands, Lawson holds the record for having the shortest stint (11 races) with the junior team before being elevated to the top tier.
