Liam Lawson’s Nightmare Red Bull Debut – and the F1 Lifeline He’s Carved for Himself

For many young drivers, a call-up to Formula 1 with Red Bull represents the dream. For Liam Lawson, however, his brief promotion to the senior team at the start of 2025 nearly became a nightmare that threatened to end his F1 career before it had truly begun. Just two races into the season, he was cast aside — demoted to the junior Faenza-based squad while Yuki Tsunoda reclaimed the coveted Red Bull seat. At that moment, Lawson’s future looked bleak.

But if there is one trait the 22-year-old Kiwi has demonstrated throughout his career — from his DTM heroics to his resilience in Super Formula — it is the ability to respond when his back is against the wall. Over the past dozen races, Lawson has rewritten the narrative, turning what once looked like an early F1 exit into a lifeline that could keep him firmly in the frame for a Red Bull future.

A Brutal Start: The Shortest Red Bull Promotion in Years

Lawson’s F1 story first began in late 2023, when he was called in as a stand-in at AlphaTauri following Daniel Ricciardo’s injury. Across five races, he impressed with mature performances, including points in Singapore, showing speed that suggested he was ready for a permanent seat. Still, Red Bull opted to retain Tsunoda and Ricciardo for 2024, keeping Lawson on the sidelines.

That patience appeared to pay off when the team surprisingly handed him a Red Bull Racing promotion for the start of 2025. With Sergio Pérez out of form and Tsunoda under scrutiny, the opportunity was positioned as Lawson’s big break.

Yet, after just two races — Australia and China — the dream imploded. The Red Bull hierarchy judged that Lawson wasn’t contributing enough to the RB21’s development. Tsunoda was recalled, and Lawson was shunted back to the Faenza outfit. From a driver who had leapfrogged rivals with his adaptability and diversity of experience, Lawson suddenly looked expendable.

For many, that would have been the end of the story. Red Bull has never been shy about moving on from drivers who fail to deliver instantly. But Lawson was determined not to become another casualty of its ruthless system.

Finding His Feet at Faenza

Once back at the junior squad — now rebranded as Racing Bulls — Lawson found himself alongside rookie Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman was rapidly gaining hype as a potential “rookie of the year” alongside the likes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman.

Lawson’s first few outings were quiet, but the turning point came at Monaco. A sharp team strategy put both Racing Bulls into the points, with Lawson scoring his first of the season. That was followed by an aggressive drive in Barcelona, where he finished just outside the top 10 — behind none other than Max Verstappen.

From there, the Kiwi began to string together consistent results. He scored points in Austria, Silverstone, and most notably Hungary — where he held Verstappen at bay in a tense late-race duel for eighth place on merit. That moment was more than just three points; it was a statement that Lawson belonged in F1.

By midsummer, Lawson had outscored Hadjar in four of the last seven races. While the Frenchman had only scored once since Barcelona, Lawson’s total began to creep close — just two points separating the pair in the standings. Suddenly, the Kiwi was no longer the forgotten man but a central figure in Red Bull’s driver debate.

The Meckies Factor

Behind the scenes, Lawson’s case received another unexpected boost. Laurent Mekies — who had been his team principal at Faenza — was promoted to replace Christian Horner as Red Bull’s team boss.

Mekies has always admired Lawson’s versatility, from DTM to Super Formula, and valued his ability to adapt to difficult machinery. With him now in a position of influence, the balance of internal politics shifted in Lawson’s favor.

Speaking to ESPN, Mekies emphasized Red Bull’s renewed approach to driver development. While the company is still famously ruthless, he suggested that decisions would now involve more careful analysis rather than snap judgments. For Lawson, that means his performances are being properly weighed against Tsunoda and Hadjar — and right now, the momentum is firmly his.

Rivals Under Pressure

Lawson’s resurgence comes at a time when his direct rivals are faltering.

Yuki Tsunoda: Once seen as a safe option, Tsunoda’s form has collapsed. Despite flashes of speed, his inconsistency continues to undermine his case for a Red Bull return. Mekies himself has admitted that the team is working hard to rediscover Tsunoda’s peak form, but the longer his slump continues, the harder it will be to justify his place.

Isack Hadjar: While Hadjar entered the season with strong momentum, his struggle to score points regularly has weakened his stock. The fact that Lawson, with far less hype, has nearly matched him in the championship suggests the Kiwi is outperforming expectations.

Arvid Lindblad: The highly-rated Briton has long been earmarked for a 2026 F1 seat, already earning his super licence through exemption. Yet his recent F2 form has been underwhelming, raising the possibility that Red Bull may keep him in junior categories for another season. Lawson’s revival complicates Lindblad’s timeline, as Red Bull may not want to discard an improving driver just to make room.

Together, these dynamics have elevated Lawson from afterthought to a serious contender in Red Bull’s long-term plans.

Lawson’s Own Perspective

Despite the growing hype, Lawson remains grounded. Asked recently about his future, he downplayed the speculation:

“Honestly, in terms of my future, it’s been so busy this year that I’m not really thinking about it right now. I’m focused on having some good races. Obviously, we’ve had some strong performances recently, but three of them isn’t enough over 12 races or however many it’s been. So, we need to do more of this and then we’ll see.”

It’s a typically pragmatic answer from a driver who knows that one strong run isn’t enough to secure a seat in the cutthroat world of Red Bull. But it also reflects his determination to build momentum, not chase headlines.

What It Means for Red Bull’s Future

So, how does Lawson’s resurgence reshape the Red Bull driver pool?

Firstly, it provides the team with leverage. If Tsunoda continues to struggle and Hadjar doesn’t find consistency, Lawson emerges as the safe, reliable option who can deliver points in the midfield while retaining upside for the future.

Secondly, it delays Lindblad’s promotion. While Red Bull has high hopes for the Brit, Lawson’s performances may persuade the team to give him another season in F2 before making the jump, reducing the risk of throwing him in too early.

Finally, Lawson’s case highlights a subtle but important cultural shift under Mekies. Instead of discarding drivers after a handful of races, Red Bull may begin adopting a slightly more measured approach — giving them the chance to fight back, as Lawson has done.

A Rollercoaster Career, Far From Over

From the despair of being dropped after just two races at Red Bull to the triumph of fending off Verstappen in Hungary, Liam Lawson’s F1 journey has already been a rollercoaster. What once looked like a nightmare debut now appears to be a pivotal chapter in a story of resilience.

There are still no guarantees. Red Bull’s driver market is notoriously volatile, and Lawson knows better than anyone that he must continue delivering week in, week out. But for now, he has achieved something vital: turning himself from an expendable reserve into a driver Red Bull can’t afford to ignore.

The Kiwi has proven he is most dangerous when his back is against the wall. And with the silly season heating up, that fighting spirit could be the very thing that keeps him on the Formula 1 grid.