Liam Lawson, the former Red Bull driver, is receiving support following his abrupt replacement by Yuki Tsunoda after merely two races. Lawson’s transition into Formula 1 with Red Bull did not unfold as expected, leading to his demotion just after a challenging start.
Tsunoda is set to compete at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, and all eyes will be on his performance, given the circumstances surrounding Lawson’s exit. The decision has sparked criticism from various quarters, particularly from former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, who took to Instagram to express his discontent with Red Bull’s approach. He referred to the team’s actions as resembling bullying rather than a justified performance-related decision, notably highlighting that Red Bull’s star, Max Verstappen, liked his post.
Van der Garde noted the relentless pressure within Formula 1 but argued that merely delivering underperformance does not warrant such a swift and harsh response. He emphasised Lawson’s dedication and the effort he invested to reach this elite level, suggesting that two races are insufficient for a fair assessment of his potential.
Commentator David Croft of Sky Sports echoed these sentiments, describing Red Bull’s decision-making process as “ruthless.” He questioned the logic behind such quick changes in drivers, especially given the wealth of data available to the team. He mentioned that it seemed premature for the team to discard their initial judgement of Lawson after just two races, particularly when compared to the ongoing challenges faced by driver Sergio Pérez.
Scott McLaughlin, an IndyCar driver and fellow Kiwi, also weighed in, labelling Red Bull’s move as “irrational,” questioning why Lawson was given an opportunity in the first place if the team was not prepared for the potential fallout from his performance.
As Lawson braces for this new chapter, his supporters hope he can rebound, focusing on the possibility of proving his critics wrong in the races to come, particularly the impending Japanese Grand Prix.