Liam Lawson officially demoted from Red Bull F1 team, returns to the junior side

Liam Lawson Formula One career with Red Bull has officially ended, at least for the 2025 season. The New Zealand star has been sent back to the Red Bull feeder team Racing Bulls just after two F1 races.

"It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and as a result we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch. We came into the 2025 season, with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers' Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors' title and this is a purely sporting decision," Red Bull Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner said in a statement on the racing team's website.

"We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki’s (Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda) experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car. We welcome him to the Team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21; We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, an environment and a Team he knows very well," his statement added.


The 23-year-old Lawson's place has been taken over by Tsunoda, the Japanese driver who had in 2024 lost the race to partner reigning F1 world champions Max Verstappen in the Red Bull team to the Kiwi. Tsunoda, 24, will start his F1 racing career at home on April 6 during the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit.

On the other hand, Lawson, who failed to score any points in the first two F1 races of 2025, will be back behind the wheels at Racing Bulls. Tsunoda has three points courtesy his sixth position in the Shanghai sprint race.