IndyCar star Scott McLaughlin has taken to social media to strongly criticize Red Bull’s decision to drop fellow New Zealander Liam Lawson from its senior Formula 1 team after just two races in 2025.
McLaughlin labeled the move as "ruthless/irrational" and called out what he sees as a "broken system,” referring to Red Bull young driver programme.
Red Bull’s announcement earlier this week confirmed that Lawson would be replaced by Yuki Tsunoda at the Japanese Grand Prix, sending the young gun back to Racing Bulls alongside rookie Isack Hadjar.
The decision sparked an immediate reaction from fans and industry insiders alike, but McLaughlin didn’t hold back in voicing his frustration with how Red Bull handled his countryman’s situation.
McLaughlin’s Strong Reaction
Sharing his thoughts on X, McLaughlin questioned the logic behind giving Lawson just two races to prove himself – especially on tracks he had never raced on before:
"Here’s a take that you didn’t ask for. 2 tracks they gave Liam in that car, that he hadn’t been to before. Finally heads to Suzuka where perhaps he knows that track more than most on the calendar due to racing in Japan etc. But gets axed before it,” the Penske driver wrote.
©Instagram/ScottMcLaughlin
McLaughlin argued that Lawson was never given a fair opportunity to settle into the team and prove his worth.
"It’s a cruel sport, but I really don’t think he was given a fair shot IMO. Ok.. if he goes bad at Suzuka, I get the change up. But give the kid a chance if you are going to throw him in the deep end against a 4x world champ to begin with, why even give him the shot in the first place if you aren’t going to ride the wave?"
While emphasizing that he had no issue with Tsunoda, McLaughlin took a direct jab at Red Bull’s management style.
"Nothing against Yuki and I think he’s a shoe, but the Red Bull game is ruthless/irrational. I look forward to the next instalment of this broken system."
Verstappen Sr. Also Weighs In
McLaughlin wasn’t the only one to react. Jos Verstappen, father of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, also voiced his support for Lawson.
Responding to a Racing Bulls post welcoming Lawson to the team, Verstappen Sr. wrote:
"I really hope you go do a fantastic job. He deserves to be in F1."
With strong backing for Lawson from both fans and notable figures in motorsport, the debate over Red Bull’s decision continues.
While the team insists the move is necessary for its championship aspirations, the controversy surrounding its driver management strategy shows no signs of slowing down.
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