Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko details the key factors that led to Liam Lawson’s demotion to sister team Racing Bulls ahead of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix.
Lawson will be replaced at Red Bull by Yuki Tsunoda.
The decision comes after Lawson’s difficult start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, as the young New Zealander has struggled to adapt to the RB21.
The upcoming Japanese GP would have marked the first track where Lawson had previously raced, having done so in Super Formula. He had a best result of P2 in 2023.
Had Red Bull waited with the switch, it would have given them the opportunity to assess the New Zealander’s performance on a familiar track.
Red Bull could not afford to wait for Suzuka
In an interview with the BBC, Marko voiced his doubts over a potential resurgence by Lawson.
“Suzuka, yes, is a very difficult circuit, it’s a driver circuit. But we were worried that his self-confidence is so damaged that he couldn’t bring his normal performance.
“And on the other hand, we have to have two drivers for the Constructors’ Championship, but also to support Max strategy-wise.
“If you have two drivers in top five or top eight, it’s easier to make a strategy which helps you to favour the number one driver.”
Red Bull’s difficult position in the Constructors’ Championship and Lawson’s lack of confidence weren’t the only factors.
Acknowledging Lawson’s difficulties
Speaking to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Marko explained that a lack of practice time and growing pressure, coupled with a “difficult to drive” car, were also contributing factors to making the switch so early in the season.
“Liam has had a lot of bad luck. During the test days in Bahrain, he missed a lot of time due to mechanical problems.
“And he also lost important time during the third free practice in Australia.
“That’s when the problems started.
“The pressure on him became greater and greater. He lost confidence, tried harder and harder, but made more mistakes as a result.
“In China, things went from bad to worse. In addition, our car is very difficult to drive and is not the fastest.”
Lawson has the opportunity to recover
The second Red Bull seat has seen a roster of drivers in recent years. Perez and Albon were let go after difficult seasons saw them underperform.
Pierre Gasly shares the fate of Lawson as he, too, was replaced during the season. In Gasly’s case, the decision was made mid-season.
Red Bull’s decision to replace Lawson after only two races thus came as a bit of a surprise, especially considering the circumstances.
Helmut Marko sees the switch as an opportunity for Lawson to recover, as he is not out of F1.
“It wasn’t an easy decision either. But Liam was like a battered boxer. And we’re not throwing him out of Formula 1.
“He’ll stay active within Red Bull, and the Racing Bull is a good car.
“We’ve had to make similar decisions in the past with Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon.
“They’ve recovered and are highly regarded Formula 1 drivers.
“We’re in the unique position to be able to do this. In any other team, he would have left Formula 1 straight away.”
RB21 struggles make it difficult to recover
The current state of the RB21 would not have helped Lawson as pressure would only have grown, says Marko.
“He’s lacking confidence now, and it’s very difficult to turn it around. I think we’re actually helping Liam with this.
“We didn’t expect him to perform in the upcoming races. And then the pressure would only be greater.
“It’s impossible to turn around very quickly a difficult car like the RB21.
“But yesterday (Thursday, ed.) Max Verstappen had a very positive meeting with the engineers.
“We really still have confidence. But realistically speaking, the next three races will be very difficult for Red Bull.”
Marko defends decision to hire Lawson
Following the conclusion of the 2024 F1 season, it was announced that Sergio Pérez would not return.
The seat was subsequently filled by Lawson. The move surprised many, given that the New Zealander was comparatively inexperienced compared to then teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Red Bull defended its decision for Lawson, and Red Bull advisor Marko believes that under different circumstances, it might have worked out.
“I also believe that if Liam had not had so many technical problems and the car had been better to drive, this would have worked.
“It is always easy to talk afterwards. But now all of us, including all the shareholders, have come to the conclusion that we had to make this change.”
Looking ahead
Reigning Champion Max Verstappen was reportedly unhappy about Red Bull’s decision, which was confirmed by Marko in his interview with De Telegraaf.
However, the Austrian notes that the decision was also a strategic one in terms of the Constructor’s Championship.
“We know that Max is not happy. But we need two cars at the front.
“Not only for the constructors’ championship, but also to help Max to his fifth world title. Then you can achieve more strategically in races.
“We can use Yuki’s experience and form well now. That’s what counts.
“At the end of the day, that is to the advantage of the team. And that also means to the advantage of Max.”
Co-author: Ewout Albrecht
