Red Bull will ‘absolutely hate’ one aspect of Liam Lawson’s spin during the first day of F1 pre-season testing

Liam Lawson took the morning session of the first day of testing in Bahrain for Red Bull. Teammate Max Verstappen is set to take the RB21 in the afternoon.

Lawson set the second-fastest time in the session behind Kimi Antonelli – although timings mean almost nothing at this stage. Unfortunately for the 23-year-old, he committed the first major mistake of the 2025 season.

The Red Bull driver spun at turn three midway through the session. Lawson hit the curb at turn two, causing the car to become loose as he exited the corner.

The New Zealander lost the back end heading into turn three, with an overcorrection sending him spinning onto the infield. Thankfully, he avoided the barriers but had to return to the pits after flat-spotting his tyres.

It is not the ideal start to pre-season testing in Bahrain for Lawson. While he got the mistake out the way before the real season starts in Melbourne, Red Bull will ‘absolutely hate’ one aspect of his spin.

Sam Collins says Red Bull’s rivals will be ‘screengrabbing’ footage of their flow visualisation after Liam Lawson’s spin

Speaking on Sky Sports as Lawson returned to the pits, F1 expert Sam Collins pointed out that Red Bull’s rivals – including Cadillac who are set to join the grid in 2026 – will be ‘screengrabbing’ footage of the RB21’s flow visualisation on the sidepod.

Teams can look for inspiration from the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s design to suit their own heading into the new era of regulations in 2026.

“There will be nine teams in factories, 10 teams actually with a new team joining next season, screengrabbing that shot we just saw,” said Collins

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull Racing F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

“Red Bull won’t be that team, they’ll be a bit grumpy because everybody’s got to see what their flow visualisation is doing down their sidepod with the lovely footage there from the pit lane.

“And the teams absolutely hate you having a good look at their flow visualisation. You’re giving away the invisible secret of every Formula 1, how the airflow is actually working.

“And all the other teams will be going off to the wind tunnel and going: ‘Hmm, does our to do this? Could we do it better or could we do it worse?”

Jolyon Palmer claims the Red Bull has looked ‘nastier than others’ on the back end

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer also gave his thoughts on Lawson’s spin. The Kiwi driver had had a couple of off moments before the incident.

The 34-year-old pointed out the RB21 has looked ‘nastier’ on the back end compared to other cars on track. While it is only pre-season, it will be slightly worrying as Verstappen takes the car in the afternoon.

“The tyres completely flat-spotted there. Well, that’s been coming, hasn’t it?” he said.

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“Because we saw the last lap that Liam did on this tyre and it was lairy on the rear axle and that’s coming out of turn three. You’ve got big traction difficulties particularly on a slightly dusty circuit, cooler temperatures.

“And as you’re trying to squeeze on the throttle you’re trying to weave your way through turn two which is the left and then the right as well, it’s typically turn two which is the nasty one.

“Liam, at least he’s managed to get it going again and he can get it back to the pits and simply change the tyres and carry on. But that Red Bull has just looked a bit nastier than others on the rear end.”

F1 fans scold Red Bull for signing Liam Lawson after his spin in Bahrain

Lawson snubbed Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda of the second Red Bull seat in 2025. Despite having raced in fewer Grand Prix and being outqualified by Tsunoda, the 23-year-old was given the nod to replace Sergio Perez.

A spin in testing should perhaps be expected from Lawson given that he has never driven the track in an F1 car before, nor has he raced in the RB21.

But that did not stop F1 fans from scolding the Kiwi driver for his spin. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to vent their anger that Tsunoda had lost out to Lawson at Red Bull.

One fan simply said: “Yuki would never,” while another felt: “It’s a joke that he’s a replacement to Checo..”

One user said the spin: “Must’ve been the weight of someone else deserving that seat.” Another feels that this will not be the last time Lawson will have an off in 2025: “This will happen a lot this year.”

One fan could not believe a spin was possible in the RB21: “A spin in a Red Bull?? I know is pre-testing, but comeon!!” Finally, one fan is already expecting Lawson to struggle next to Verstappen like his predecessors: “Yeah, Liam’s gonna turn out to be another Albon / Gasly for RB.”