Here we go again. The 2025 Formula 1 season has just started and the rumor mill is already in full effect around Liam Lawson’s position at Red Bull. After only two races, people are wondering if he might be replaced. It’s a tough situation for any driver, especially one as new as Lawson, but it’s starting to feel like the 2nd seat to Max Verstappen has some sort of voodoo curse on it. Maybe Daniel Ricciardo hexed it on his way out in 2019 because since then, every driver has struggled massively.
Liam Lawson came into Red Bull with a lot of expectations. He was seen as a promising talent who could bring fresh energy to the team after Sergio Perez’s challenging end to the 2024 season. He showed serious promise when he subbed in for an injured Ricciardo at AlphaTauri in 2023 and then again when he ended up replacing the Australian in RB at the tail end of 2024. But his performance in the first two races of 2025 has been pretty abysmal. He has yet to make it out of Q1 in qualifying, crashed in Australia and he finished 12th in the Chinese Grand Prix, and that was only because some other drivers got disqualified. As one would imagine, this has sparked rumors that Red Bull might be thinking about making a change already.
Formula 1 is a high-pressure environment where drivers are expected to perform at their best right from the start. For Lawson, the transition has been particularly tough. The RB21 car has been difficult to handle, even for experienced drivers like Max Verstappen. Lawson’s struggles to adapt quickly have raised concerns within the team. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s senior advisor, mentioned that there will be a meeting to discuss the team’s performance and possible changes. Marko said, “We need to evaluate our current situation and make decisions that will benefit the team in the long run”.
One of the names being mentioned as a potential replacement is Yuki Tsunoda. He’s been doing well with Racing Bulls and is seen as a strong candidate for promotion. Tsunoda has been consistently qualifying in the top 10 and has expressed his desire to join Red Bull. However, Christian Horner, the team principal, has downplayed the idea of a driver swap so early in the season. He believes in supporting Lawson and helping him adapt. Horner stated, “Liam is a talented driver, and we need to give him the time and support to show what he can do. It’s too early to make any drastic changes”.
It’s important to remember that behind all the statistics and performance metrics, there’s a young driver facing immense pressure. The media scrutiny and internal expectations can be overwhelming. Horner has shown sympathy for Lawson, acknowledging the tough situation and the team’s responsibility to support him. But we all know how that goes. They will always publicly state their support for their driver, right up until the moment they axe them. The next few races will be crucial for Lawson. The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, a track he knows well, could be a turning point. If he can deliver a strong performance, it might give him the confidence and time he needs. But if the struggles continue, judging how they’ve acted in the past, odds are quite good that Red Bull will be making a change.
