F1: Liam Lawson says 'it's tough' after demotion

New Zealand's Formula One driver Liam Lawson says he is ready to go to work at Racing Bulls after his demotion from the top Red Bull team.

Lawson was replaced last night by Yuki Tsunoda in a straight swap between the two Red Bull teams after struggling in the first two F1 events in Melbourne and Shanghai this season.

Lawson has posted on Instagram about the change.

"Being a @redbullracing driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it's what I've worked towards my whole life. It's tough, but im grateful for everything that's brought me to this point. To every one of you who's stood by me, thank you for all the support it means the world.''

Lawson also thanked the Racing Bulls team for their ''warm welcome".

"I'm excited and ready to go to work at one of my favourite places."

His post was topped by a photo of him as a youngster at school, with a report praising him for his ability to engage an audience.

Lawson drove for the Racing Bulls last year before gaining promotion to be four-time world champion Max Verstappen's teammate in the Red Bull cars.

The billionaire founder of Rodin Cars, David Dicker, funded Liam through the ranks of motor racing to reach the pinnacle of a F1 seat, and calls the treatment of Lawson "unfair".

"You can't put a guy in for two races and then decide he's no good," he told Checkpoint's Lisa Owen.

"First of all I think it's very disappointing. I don't think it's a fair call and I think Red Bull is making a mistake.

Dicker said he feels that Red Bull's car this year, the RB21, is not very good. With the departure of Red Bull's top F1 designer Adrian Newey, something has been lost, he said.

"Adrian Newey is one of the all-time greats. One of the things about Newey is not only was he a designer, but he was a race engineer and he drives a lot of racing cars himself.

"I just wonder how many of the guys at Red Bull who are on the engineering side, ever get into a racing car, ever get to understand how cars work? That's my view."

Lawson still has a solid career ahead of him, Dicker said.

"I think Liam proved himself in the races that he had last year."

"He's got capability, I don't think there's any issue with that.

"I think the real issue lies in the car is incredibly difficult to drive … The car itself is just not really the car that they want to have.

"I do feel that there's a lot of teams on the F1 grid who would see Liam as a very viable performer. I don't know if there's a way back with Red Bull, it's going to be difficult, but that's where I see it."

Support for Lawson

Lawson's demotion has been a big talking point in Formula One, with many rushing to his defence.

Among them was former Supercars champion New Zealander Scott McLaughlin, who now races on the Indy Car circuit in the United States.

He didn't think Lawson had got a fair deal.

"Finally heads to Suzuka (venue for the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend) where perhaps he knows that track more than most on the calendar due to racing in Japan etc. But get's axed before it. It's a cruel sport, but I really don't think he was given a fair shot IMO.

Announcing the change last night, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: "It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and as a result we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch.

"We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions; to retain the world drivers' championship and to reclaim the world constructors' title and this is a purely sporting decision.

"We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki's experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car," the Briton added.

"We welcome him to the team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21."

Horner said Red Bull would do its best to look after Lawson.

"We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam," he said.

"And together we see that after such a difficult start it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with (the) Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well."

Meanwhile, Verstappen has 'liked' an Instagram post by former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde criticising Red Bull for dropping Lawson.

Verstappen's Dutch compatriot Van der Garde, who raced 19 times for now-defunct Caterham in 2013, said he was "getting a bit tired of" the narrative of having to deliver under pressure or face the consequences, Reuters reported.

"Yes, you gotta perform. Yes, the pressure is insane. But in my opinion this comes closer to bullying or a panic move than actual high athlete achievements," he said.

"They made a decision - fully aware - gave Liam two races only to crush his spirit.

"Don't forget the dedication, hard work and success Liam has put in his career so far to achieve the level where he is now... yes, he underperformed the first two races - but if anyone's aware of that it's himself."

Van der Garde urged Lawson to "trust yourself, get your head up, prove them wrong".

The swap with Tsunoda means Verstappen will have his third team-mate in four races in the Japan race.

- RNZ Sport/Reuters