Liam Lawson reflects on tough F1 debut after Red Bull demotion

New Zealand driver opens up about challenges after shock Red Bull exit and return to RB team.

Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB is seen in the paddock during previews ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on April 10, 2025, in Bahrain. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Liam Lawson reflects on tough F1 debut after Red Bull demotion, describing the whirlwind of emotions and career shifts that have marked the early days of his first full season on the Formula One grid. The 23-year-old New Zealander was thrust into the spotlight, only to be abruptly moved aside, and now finds himself back with Red Bull's sister team, RB, trying to rebuild momentum in a sport where pressure never lets up.

“Obviously it's been a crazy couple of weeks and months and a lot of it has been not the most enjoyable,” Lawson admitted during a press session ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix. His voice was steady, but the toll of recent events was clear. Demoted after only two races with the main Red Bull Racing team, where he failed to score points in Australia and China, Lawson is looking to reset his campaign—this time in the RB garage, a familiar place from his 11-race stint last season.

The announcement of his removal from the senior Red Bull team and Yuki Tsunoda taking his seat alongside Max Verstappen came as a blow—not just professionally, but personally. F1, after all, is not just about speed and skill; it's also about timing, trust, and staying power.

From Red Bull spotlight to RB pressure

Lawson’s brief tenure as a Red Bull race driver was filled with promise. Fans and pundits had high expectations, but two quiet races proved costly. With no points and no podium potential in sight, Red Bull acted swiftly. The decision to reinstate Tsunoda—seen as a more consistent presence in the team—was met with both criticism and understanding from different corners of the F1 world.

Now, back in RB colors, Lawson must walk the fine line between redemption and patience. “The fact that I'm racing each weekend at the moment is probably the best thing for me because it just means I can focus on driving,” he said. The words reflect his effort to block out the noise and simply perform.

Still, the environment at Red Bull left its mark. Racing under the microscope of one of the sport’s most successful and demanding teams can drain even the most confident driver. “Mentally it’s been a tough start,” Lawson admitted, “but I’m still here, and I’m still driving.”

A return to Bahrain, and to basics

The Bahrain Grand Prix marks a symbolic fresh start for Lawson. The heat at the Sakhir circuit, where track temperatures soared to 37°C, mirrors the pressure he's under. But this time, he’s grounded in experience and perhaps slightly more hardened by the realities of Formula One politics.

This is not Lawson’s first time in Bahrain, but it might be the most meaningful. In returning with RB, he gets a chance to show what he’s truly capable of, away from the glaring headlines and championship hype that surround the Red Bull garage. He’s not just racing to compete—he’s racing to prove he belongs on the grid.

The RB car itself, while not a front-runner, is a machine Lawson understands well. He knows how to extract performance from it, and with a little bit of luck, the right strategy, and solid race craft, he could still create headlines for all the right reasons.

Keeping perspective in the F1 pressure cooker

Lawson’s rise through the ranks has been anything but smooth. From his Formula 2 performances to his early Red Bull testing days, and now this chaotic entry into a full F1 season, he's had to adjust rapidly. The New Zealander is not yet a household name like Verstappen or Hamilton, but the potential is clearly there.

What makes his journey particularly compelling is how open he is about the mental challenges. F1 drivers are often viewed as superhuman—brave, flawless, and untouchable. Lawson reminds fans that behind every helmet is a human being grappling with self-doubt, stress, and the pressure to perform.

“I’m just trying to reset and keep moving forward,” he said, his focus now shifting fully to Bahrain and the rest of the 2025 calendar. It’s a long season, and consistency could still earn him recognition—or even a second shot at the Red Bull seat if fortunes shift.

Lawson’s story is far from over. If anything, it’s just beginning. F1 careers are often made not in podium finishes, but in resilience and growth. Lawson has already shown both. His honest reflections, his ability to pivot quickly, and his desire to compete at the highest level could still carry him far.

With the F1 world watching, his next races with RB could determine more than just his place in the constructor standings—they could define his future in the sport. If he can deliver strong performances, outqualify his teammate, and avoid the kind of mistakes that cost him at Red Bull, he might just turn a tough debut into a season of transformation.

And as he himself said, the best way forward is simple: keep driving.