Lawson: F1 future ‘not so clear anymore’ since Red Bull demotion

Liam Lawson has openly shared his doubts about achieving his lifelong dream of becoming a Formula 1 world champion with Red Bull.

After a bruising start to the 2025 season that saw him demoted from Red Bull Racing to sister outfit, Racing Bulls, after just two races, Lawson’s path to the pinnacle of the sport feels increasingly uncertain.

The 23-year-old’s candid reflections reveal the harsh realities faced by young drivers in Red Bull’s high-pressure environment, where the margin for error is razor-thin, and the shadow of Max Verstappen looms large.

Lawson’s journey to Formula 1 has been one of grit and determination. A member of the Red Bull junior programme since 2019, he earned his promotion to Red Bull Racing for 2025 after impressing in limited stints with AlphaTauri – now Racing Bulls – in 2023 and 2024.

However, the step up to the Milton Keynes-based squad to partner Verstappen proved overwhelming. Struggling for pace in Australia and China – tracks where he had never raced before – Lawson qualified poorly and failed to score points, leading to his swift replacement by the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda.

The decision, made just 99 days into his dream role, underscored Red Bull’s ruthless approach to driver performance, a pattern seen with predecessors like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who also faltered under the team’s intense expectations.

A Dream Clouded by Uncertainty

Now back at Racing Bulls, Lawson is fighting to rebuild his confidence and prove his worth in Formula 1. Despite recent points-scoring finishes, including a strong sixth place in Austria, his future remains unclear.

Speaking during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, Lawson admitted the toll of his brief Red Bull stint and the uncertainty it has cast over his ambitions.

“I think it’s tough. I think my dream, as much as I wanted to be a Red Bull Racing driver, that’s what I worked towards from becoming a Red Bull junior,” he said.

“The dream I’ve had since I was five years old has been world champion, has been winning in Formula 1 and reaching the top of the sport. And I think that’s more or less where my dream sits, where my goal is, trying to become the best.

“That’s what we’re all working towards. And I think where I do that is not so clear as much as I thought it was.”

The unforgiving nature of Red Bull’s driver program, where young talents are expected to perform immediately alongside a driver of Verstappen’s caliber, has left many before Lawson questioning their place in the sport.

The team’s car, often tailored to Verstappen’s unique driving style, adds another layer of difficulty for newcomers – or indeed an F1 veteran such as Sergio Perez, who must adapt quickly or face demotion.

A Missed Opportunity at Zandvoort

Lawson’s challenges were evident at the Dutch Grand Prix, where a collision with Williams’ Carlos Sainz after a Safety Car restart derailed a promising race.

The incident, which resulted in a damaged tyre and a pit stop, cost Lawson a potential points finish and highlighted the fine margins in F1’s competitive midfield.

Reflecting on the race, he lamented the lost opportunity.

“We were behind probably George before everything happened, and the car has been very, very strong, so there’s no reason why we wouldn’t have come home with very strong points today,” he explained.

“We were just consistent in the first stint, sort of managing, and a restart is always aggressive and tough, and obviously it’s time for opportunities, but something that risky is when we’re both in the points like that, it just sucks.”

Despite his own disappointment, Lawson was quick to praise his teammate, Isack Hadjar, whose third-place finish marked Racing Bulls’ first podium since 2021.

“For the team, it’s very, very cool. It’s very cool for Isack and his side. They’ve done a very, very good job this weekend,” Lawson said.

“The car has been very strong recently, so it’s great to show the performance of it today. It’s very, very cool for Isack as well.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t bring both cars home in the points, but obviously very, very positive for the team and hopefully we can take that forward into the next few races.”

The Road Ahead

Hadjar’s success has intensified speculation about Red Bull’s driver lineup for 2026, with the rookie now a strong contender for a promotion to the senior team.

Lawson, who is expected to remain with Racing Bulls next season, faces the challenge of consistently delivering results to keep his F1 career alive.

Read also:

• Lawson hits back at Sainz over penalty anger: 'He should talk to me'

His recent performances, including 20 points from 13 races, show promise, but the Dutch Grand Prix setback serves as a reminder of the sport’s relentless demands.

For Lawson, the dream of a world championship remains alive, but the path to achieving it is fraught with obstacles.

As the Kiwi navigates this uncertain landscape, his focus is on maximizing every opportunity to prove he belongs in Formula 1, even if his future lies beyond the Red Bull fold.

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