Liam Lawson shares first post after Red Bull axe

Liam Lawson has shared his first message on social media after being axed from the Red Bull Racing line up, replaced by Yuki Tsunoda for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Feature image credit: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

On Thursday, it was announced that Lawson would be demoted down to Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls after a horrid opening two races had forced the team to make a ‘driver rotation.’

Lawson, who came in to replace the under-performing Sergio Perez, for the 2025 season failed to escape the first third of qualifying in all three qualifying sessions, two standard and one sprint. 

He followed this up with a crash at the season opening Australian Grand Prix and non-scoring point finishes at the Chinese Grand Prix, in both the sprint and Grand Prix. 

Following the news, Lawson made his first public post on social media on Thursday. On Instagram, he said: 

“Being a @redbullracing driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it’s what I’ve worked towards my whole life. 

“It’s tough, but I’m grateful for everything that’s brought me to this point. To every one of you who’s stood by me, thank you for all the support it means the world

“Thank you @visacashapprb for the warm welcome, I’m excited and ready to go to work at one of my favourite places.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Liam Lawson (@liamlawson30)

This means, Lawson will be demoted back down to Racing Bulls, a team he served two stints with—in 2023 and 2024—and the teams long-standing driver Yuki Tsuonda will replace the Kiwi at the Senior Squad. 

Red Bull’s CEO and Team Principal stated, in an announcement, that they decided to ‘act quickly’ and made the decision on sporting grounds, having failed to secure the constructors title in 2024. He said: 

“It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and as a result we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch.

“We came into the 2025 season, with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers’ Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors’ title and this is a purely sporting decision.”

Horner also confirmed Red Bull have a duty to ‘protect and develop’ their Kiwi driver, even after a troubled start to his first full season of F1, which is why he has been reverted back to Racing Bulls. The aim would be to help develop Lawson and give him more experience in F1. 

Now, Tsunoda will compete in his first race weekend for Red Bull at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, the driver’s home race.

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Liam Lawson dropped Yuki Tsunoda promoted for Japan GP
• Ferrari issues statement following double Chinese GP disqualification
• Three F1 drivers disqualified from F1 2025 Chinese Grand Prix
• Piastri heads McLaren 1-2 in a commanding F1 Chinese Grand Prix
• Oscar Piastri claims maiden pole position for Chinese GP
• Lewis Hamilton claims maiden sprint race win at Chinese GP

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.