In a tumultuous start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Liam Lawson has faced significant pressure as a rookie driver for Red Bull Racing. As the season risks spiraling further out of control for the team, Lawson's performance has raised eyebrows—leading to speculation about possible immediate changes in their driver lineup.
Following an unremarkable showing at the season opener in Australia on March 17, 2025, Lawson's race weekend began with frustration when he qualified 18th, only to spin out and crash on lap 46 while trying to fight for position. The hope was that the Chinese Grand Prix on March 23 would offer a fresh start for the 23-year-old racer; however, things only got tougher.
In China, Lawson struggled further, managing to qualify in the last position for both the sprint and main races. Despite his best efforts, he only climbed to 14th during the Saturday sprint but finished 15th in the grand prix, an outcome that ultimately became P12 following disqualifications of other drivers. Although optimism lingered, the weekend was tinged with disappointment.
Liam Lawson reflected on his car's setup changes, admitting, "To be honest, we were even more competitive in yesterday's Sprint. We were able to overtake cars and move forward. It's just we tried something with the set-up to learn something today. It was quite a big step and, unfortunately, it just didn’t work.” His acknowledgment of the weekend's challenges further illustrated the pressure he faces as expectations soar at Red Bull, especially with teammate Max Verstappen finishing in fourth place in the same race.
The early struggles of Lawson have incited concerns from Red Bull's management. Prominent figures within the team, including motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, have hinted at a potential driver switch with Yuki Tsunoda, who has impressed in the opening races of the season. Marko confirmed in a recent interview, "This week there is a meeting in Milton Keynes to discuss when and how we can close the gap. We are worried, but it is not like we are throwing in the towel.”
Amid discussions about potential changes, it became increasingly clear that Tsunoda was a likely candidate to replace Lawson. Following a solid performance in Australia where he qualified 5th and almost secured a strong finish, Tsunoda continued to show promise in China, finishing 6th in the sprint despite a wing failure during the main race. He has been vocal about his readiness to step into Lawson's shoes, claiming, “Yeah, why not? Always,” when asked if he would take the seat should the opportunity arise. And in a cheeky nod to Lawson's struggles, Tsunoda added, “In Japan? Yeah, 100 percent. I mean, the car is faster.”
Lawson himself feels the stakes. When questioned about what he needs to work on, he admitted: "It’s just a very small window. It’s hard, you know—it’s hard to drive, to get it in that window. I’d like to say that with time that’ll come. I just don’t have time to do that, it’s something I need to get on top of.” This statement reflects the intense scrutiny he is under as a rookie at a top team, where results are paramount, and every race counts.
As Red Bull sits third in the constructors’ standings with only 36 points—lagging behind both Mercedes (53 points) and McLaren (78 points)—the urgency to deliver begins to crescendo. Lawson's future at Red Bull hangs in a precarious balance as discussions regarding potential driver swaps heat up amidst the pressure from management.
Christian Horner, Red Bull's managing director, was questioned directly about the decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda, suggesting that there will need to be a reevaluation of the situation. When faced with the stark reality of needing to score points, Horner stated, "It’s been a tough day in the office for him today, so we’ll have a good look at it and go through it and obviously try and give him the best car for tomorrow.”
With the next round at the Suzuka Circuit scheduled for April 6, 2025, all eyes are on Red Bull Racing. Will they allow Lawson more time to settle in and adjust to a car that he describes as challenging to drive, or will they capitalize on Tsunoda's impressive performances and make an early switch? As the conversations continue, it’s clear that every lap matters and loyalty may only extend as far as performance in the high-stakes world of Formula 1.
