Red Bull’s apparent decision to fire Liam Lawson just two races into the new season has left defending Formula One world champion Max Verstappen feeling irritated.
In one of the top cars on the grid, Lawson, 23, has had a terrible start to his Red Bull career, scoring zero points from three chances thus far.
After McLaren defeated Red Bull in the constructors’ championship last season, forcing the team to switch their second driver, he was immediately under pressure to perform when paired with Verstappen.
After a disappointing season in which he finished eighth in the standings, Mexican veteran Sergio Perez held that seat the previous season. As a result, Red Bull paid off the remaining portion of his contract to promote Lawson.
Despite being promoted from the Racing Bulls team, Lawson has yet to accumulate any points from two races and a sprint race. According to the Dutch publication Telegraaf, the decision has already been made to demote him, replacing him with former teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Verstappen was disappointed by that call, though, as it was reported that the Dutchman didn’t agree with the harsh ruling that will soon be confirmed.
According to reports, Verstappen had opposed the decision to return the New Zealand player to Racing Bulls.
Before placing 14th in the sprint race in China over the weekend, New Zealander Lawson had a DNF in the season’s first race in Australia after colliding with a barrier.
He finished 12th and qualified 20th, last, for the main race. Verstappen finished in fourth.
Due to his difficulties, Red Bull is already 42 points behind rivals McLaren in their attempt to reclaim the constructors’ title, having lost to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in China, who finished first and second, respectively.
For Tsunoda’s home race, the Japan Grand Prix, next week, the switch is anticipated to be official.
The 24-year-old was Lawson’s teammate at Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s junior squad, the previous season.
Lawson received the promotion even though he finished 26 points higher in the standings, but it appears that this has since changed.
Tsunoda placed sixth in the sprint race in China and has three points so far this season. He placed 12th in Australia and 16th in the race itself.
According to reports, Yuki Tsunoda, a former teammate, will take his place before the Japanese Grand Prix next week.
Despite his difficulties, Verstappen had been outspoken in his support of Lawson, stating: “That Racing Bulls car is easier to drive than ours.” When I speak with Liam, I observe that.
I believed that there wasn’t much of a difference between him and Yuki last year. If not, the team would not have decided to include Liam at Red Bull.
When questioned directly about Lawson’s subpar performances following China, Red Bull CEO Christian Horner kept his cards close to the vest, stating that he would try his hardest to help his man.
“We made some major changes today to see if we could find a more confidence-inspiring setup for Liam, who is obviously struggling with the car right now in terms of confidence,” Horner stated. “I believe Liam still has potential; we’re just not seeing it yet.” His issue, in my opinion, is that he has had a few extremely trying weekends and is dealing with the media.
“I feel very sorry for him, and the pressure in this business just grows naturally.” As you can see, he is currently going through a very difficult time. Since he is a young man, it is our responsibility to take care of him, and we will make every effort to assist him.
According to reports, Chalerm Yoovidhya, a significant shareholder, made the decision at his house in Dubai on Tuesday.
Previously, Lawson told The Telegraph in China that he didn’t feel sorry for his former teammate, saying: “Really? No. In any case, if I reflect on our career together, I was his teammate in Formula One and I defeated him.
According to Christian Horner, the CEO of Red Bull, Lawson had been having “confidence-wise” difficulties.
In China, Lawson placed 12th in the main race and 14th in the sprint race after failing to finish in Australia.
He and I were teammates in Euro Formula in New Zealand, and I defeated him there. Then, if I consider all the occasions in those early years when he was promoted rather than me, I honestly don’t think so in F1 last season. He’s had enough. It’s my turn now.
Since Verstappen advanced to Red Bull in 2016, Tsunoda will be his sixth different partner.
Lawson, who has apparently been cut more quickly than anyone else, struggled just as much as Daniel Riccardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez did alongside the Dutchman.
Gasly was moved on after 12 races, but Riccardo stayed for two years. At the end of last year, after a poor run, Perez was finally cut, and Albon received 26.