The 2025 Formula 1 season has been anything but smooth sailing for Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, whose lackluster performance has already raised questions about his future with the team. After a disappointing start to the season, finishing 18th in Australia and 20th in the qualifying rounds in China, insiders report that Red Bull executives are privately questioning whether Lawson can deliver the results the team needs.
Lawson’s ascension to Red Bull was a strategic move made during the winter, replacing Sergio Perez in a bid to close the gap with team-mate Max Verstappen and boost the team’s chances in the F1 constructors’ championship. However, the plan has seemingly backfired. Lawson’s early performance has been dismal, marking the worst run of qualifying results for any Red Bull driver in the team’s history.
Not only did Lawson fail to make it past the Q1 exits, but he also crashed out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. His push to finish 14th in the Chinese GP sprint was deemed subpar by Lawson himself. He conceded, “I’m in a Red Bull – finishing 14th, it’s not really acceptable.”
While there is no immediate threat of Lawson being dropped if his performance doesn’t improve in the Chinese GP, it is understood that the upcoming race in Japan is seen as a make-or-break moment for him.
Lawson’s struggles are perplexing, especially since the season began in Australia and China, two circuits where he had never previously competed in F1. However, Lawson is familiar with the Suzuka circuit in Japan, given his 2023 Super Formula campaign and his AlphaTauri race. This familiarity eliminates the excuse of being a circuit novice for the critical upcoming race.
Red Bull’s confusion over Lawson’s struggles is palpable. The team is publicly maintaining an optimistic front, but motorsport advisor Helmut Marko subtly hinted that results are paramount in F1. Speaking to Sky Germany, he said, “F1 is a performance sport and in the end that’s what counts.”
Lawson, for his part, seems acutely aware that Red Bull’s patience is waning. He admitted to The Race after qualifying in China that it’s challenging to drive the car and find the right window. He acknowledged his time to improve is limited and said, “It’s just something that I need to get on top of.”
He also confessed that there was no excuse for his performance when Verstappen is consistently vying for wins. “It’s just car characteristics, it’s the way the car drives,” he said. “But… obviously if Max is able to drive it, then I should be able to get on top of it as well.”
If Lawson fails to turn his season around in Japan, Red Bull has a backup plan. The most likely alternative would be to swap Lawson with Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda, who has had a strong start to the season. Tsunoda, who was considered for Red Bull’s second seat last year, has indicated that he would take the opportunity if it were offered.
Only time will tell whether Lawson can regain his footing and secure his place in Red Bull, or if Tsunoda will be called up to take his place. One thing is certain – the upcoming race in Japan will be critical for Lawson’s future in F1.