‘Sad and puzzled’: Lawson’s emotional return to Racing Bulls revealed

Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer has opened up about the emotional toll Liam Lawson experienced following his abrupt departure from Red Bull Racing and return to RB.

Bayer revealed how the young Kiwi was initially left “sad” and “a bit puzzled” after being demoted just two races into the 2025 season.

However, despite the rocky start to his first full year in Formula 1, Bayer remains confident that Lawson will soon regain his form.

Lawson’s 2025 Formula 1 season began with high hopes as he stepped into the coveted role of Max Verstappen’s teammate, replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing.

But after only two race weekends, following marked struggles in Australia and China, the 23-year-old was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda and sent back to Racing Bulls for the Japanese Grand Prix.

A Difficult Return to Racing Bulls

Lawson’s return to Racing Bulls, where he had previously contested 11 Grands Prix, was not without its emotional challenges.

Bayer, attuned to Lawson’s state of mind, noticed the young driver’s initial struggle to process the setback.

“It took him a short moment, to be honest; when he came to us the first time, when I saw him in Faenza, Italy, for the seat fit, he was sad,” Bayer revealed.

“He was a bit puzzled by all the events because everything happened very quickly.”

The rapid sequence of events—promotion, underperformance, and demotion—left Lawson visibly shaken, his dream of racing with Red Bull’s senior team cut short after only two races.

Despite this, Bayer was quick to offer perspective and reassurance, reminding Lawson of his place in the sport.

“But, at the same time, we also told him that you [must] not forget that you’re still an F1 driver with a team that you know – you know the people, you know the set-up, and you’ll be able to extract performance from this car, the way you drive and the way how the team will support you,” Bayer said.

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The RB chief’s message of stability and support was crucial, as Lawson faced the daunting task of rebuilding his confidence in a familiar yet less glamorous environment.

Bayer’s words reflect a deep understanding of the emotional weight Lawson carried, coupled with a firm belief in his potential to bounce back.

Signs of Recovery and Bayer’s Optimism

As the 2025 season progressed through a grueling triple header – Japan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia –Lawson’s results (P17, P16, and P12) showed he was still searching for his first points, trailing rookie teammate Isack Hadjar’s five-point tally.

Yet, Bayer remains steadfast in his optimism, observing tangible signs of Lawson’s resurgence.

“I had breakfast with him this morning, [he’s in] great spirits,” Bayer shared on the Friday of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, highlighting Lawson’s improving morale.

“And I see that he’s picking up the pace,” signaling that Lawson was beginning to rediscover his form.

Bayer pointed to specific moments of promise, particularly in Bahrain, where Lawson showed competitive pace.

“If you look at Bahrain last week, in Qualifying Sector 1 and Sector 3 he was [equal] with Isack,” Bayer continued.

“He had a little issue then with the DRS in Sector 2 but we’re honestly very confident that he will be back and he will be quick.”

These observations underscore Bayer’s commitment to nurturing Lawson’s talent, focusing on progress rather than immediate results.

While the journey has tested Lawson’s resolve, Racing Bulls' leadership believes in his talent and resilience. With the team’s support and growing comfort behind the wheel, Lawson’s comeback story may just be beginning.

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