Horner on Lawson demotion: ‘You’ve got to be cruel to be kind’

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is standing by his team’s decision to demote Liam Lawson after just two races in 2025, admitting that “sometimes you’ve got to be cruel to be kind” to safeguard a driver’s long-term future.

The swift move, which saw Lawson replaced by Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, followed a torrid start for the New Zealander in Red Bull’s senior team in the first two races of the season.

Horner’s candid remarks, made during a Tokyo showrun event featuring both Red Bull and its sister team Racing Bulls, shed light on a choice that’s sparked debate but, he insists, was made with Lawson’s best interests at heart.

Cruel to Be Kind

Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, Horner didn’t deny the emotional weight of the move for Lawson.

“Of course, it's horrible because you're taking away someone's dreams and aspirations, but sometimes you've got to be cruel to be kind, and I think that in this instance, this is not the end for Liam,” he said.

Horner acknowledged the steep challenge Lawson faced, thrust into the spotlight too soon.

“I was very clear with him, is that it's a sample of two races. We have to accept, I think we were asking too much of him too soon,” he explained.

But rather than a career-ending blow, Horner sees the demotion as a chance for Lawson to regroup.

“And so this is for him to, again, nurture that talent that we know that he has, back in the Racing Bulls seat, whilst giving Yuki the opportunity and looking to make use of the experience that he has,” he added.

The move reflects Red Bull’s dual aim: giving Lawson breathing room to develop while leveraging Tsunoda’s seasoning to bolster the senior team’s efforts at Suzuka.

Lawson’s Perspective and Path Forward

Lawson, now paired with fellow rookie Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls, took the news in stride, though it caught him off guard.

“It is maybe something I wasn't expecting so early but something that obviously is not my decision,” he said on Thursday in Suzuka.

“For me, it's about making the most of this opportunity now and still being in Formula 1, I still have that.

“I think I was more surprised. It's very early in the season and I would say I was hoping to go to a track that I'd raced before and have a clean weekend to have a chance like that.

“But the decision obviously was made when I was told. So, although it was tough to hear, I had one or two days to think about it.”

Read also:

• Verstappen: Red Bull’s ‘main issue’ is the car, not the drivers

For Horner, the call – however brutal – aligns with Red Bull’s history of tough love, a philosophy that’s shaped champions like Max Verstappen.

As Lawson resets at Racing Bulls and Tsunoda steps up, the team principal’s words echo a belief that short-term pain can pave the way for long-term gain.

At Suzuka, the focus shifts to results, but Horner’s stance suggests Lawson’s story with Red Bull is far from over – just paused for a quieter, more nurturing chapter.

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