Liam Lawson has begun the process of rebuilding his confidence after Red Bull decided to brutally drop him from their team after just two races.
The 23-year-old Kiwi has returned to the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team and already showed some positive signs at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Lawson managed to outqualify Yuki Tsunoda – his replacement at the senior team by one position on Saturday.
Given how tricky the Red Bull is to drive, it was no surprise and confirms even further that Max Verstappen may be the only person in the world who can lead it to victories.
Racing Bulls took pressure from Lawson by presenting him with a message before his return at Suzuka – they wrote that they had missed him on a pit board.
After taking time to assess his performance, Helmut Marko admitted Lawson has a ‘problem’ and needs to find more one-lap pace to be competitive again.
READ MORE: Yuki Tsunoda’s final Japanese Grand Prix radio message suggests he’s already understanding Liam Lawson’s struggles
Gian Carlo Minardi says Red Bull’s Liam Lawson demotion was ‘excessive’ after just two races
Lawson realised Verstappen was right after returning to his old team at the first race of the first Formula 1 triple header of the season.
The junior car has a wider setup window, making it easier to drive and quicker on track. Gian Carlo Minardi believes that demoting Lawson was an ‘excessive’ measure from Red Bull.
“This team seems to me to be a bit confused lately. Even this choice to change the driver after only two races seems to me an excessive choice,” he said.
“Tsunoda who had started well in free practice, but when Verstappen puts his own spin on it, unfortunately, the Red Bull which at the moment is not a competitive car, pays from its own.”
Verstappen sitting one point off Lando Norris at the top of the drivers’ championship is almost miraculous. The second car may struggle to score a podium this season.
Tsunoda’s debut just proves that Lawson was treated unfairly. The RB21 needs an overhaul and the 2026 F1 regulations may be arriving at an appropriate time.
READ MORE: Jacques Villeneuve reminds ‘crushed’ Liam Lawson he got off lightly compared to another Helmut Marko victim
Could Liam Lawson’s F1 seat be under threat after Isack Hadjar performances?
Isack Hadjar has been impressive during his first three races, mainly in qualifying trim, although he did score his first points in Suzuka.
It means that Lawson is now the only Red Bull-contracted driver yet to score in 2025. With Arvid Lindblad lurking in Formula 2, one driver has to be out for next season if he performs well.
The most obvious candidate to be dropped right now is Tsunoda, particularly if he struggles at Red Bull with Honda’s association with the Milton Keynes-based outfit coming to an end after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
However, if he does better than expected, then Lawson could find himself back in a reserve role or out of the team altogether. He needs to find his form again soon.
