‘Didn’t see it coming’ – Liam Lawson breaks silence on brutal Red Bull axe as replacement says ‘friendship has changed’

LIAM LAWSON says his brutal Red Bull axing after just two races came as a total shock.

The Kiwi driver, 23, was sacked by the team after a woeful start to the season which saw him knocked out at the first stage of all three qualifying sessions, failing to pick up a single point.

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Liam Lawson has been demoted to Racing Bulls[/caption]

AP

Yuki Tsunoda has taken Liam Lawson’s Red Bull seat[/caption]

Lawson returned to Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls in a swap with 24-year-old Yuki Tsunoda ahead of this weekend’s Japanese GP.

He told Sky Sports: “It was definitely a shock, honestly. It’s not something that I saw coming,

“The discussions we were having weren’t really leaning in this direction, so it was definitely not something that I expected.”

Red Bull chose to promote Lawson from their junior squad Racing Bulls after just 11 Grand Prix appearances in two short spells across 2023 and 2024, despite Tsunoda having more experience.

Lawson added: “Obviously, I would have loved more time,

“We had a rocky testing. We had a rocky first weekend in Melbourne with practice. And then obviously China was a sprint.

“But obviously, it’s not my decision, so I’m here to make the most of this one.”

The team’s motorsport adviser Helmut Marko has since come out and said they “made a mistake” signing Lawson over Tsunoda.

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Lawson and Tsunoda were team-mates last season[/caption]

Ahead of his Red Bull debut in Japan this weekend, Tsunoda has also opened up on the switch.

He admitted to the BBC: “We didn’t talk yet (Tsunoda and Lawson). I’m sure we’re going to be around anyway in Tokyo with the events so let’s see how it goes.

“Hopefully as a friendship we won’t make anything ruined or get damaged.

“I think I’ve felt it a little bit in the first half of the season this year, so probably we don’t have the friendship we used to have from when we were fighting in junior categories, but I think that’s natural, fighting for the seat and everything.

“I know he is a funny guy and I know how to make our relationship good but let’s see how it goes, it’s not easy.”

On how the move came about following the Chinese Grand Prix, Tsunoda added: “First call I got was from Christian (Horner), I heard expectations from him and also what kind of team dynamics they’re having. He said welcome to Red Bull Racing and he was excited. 

“Be as close as possible to Max. Red Bull Racing are focused on Max scoring a Drivers’ Championship.

“He proved that he can be a world champion even though Red Bull is struggling.

“He also promised me in some situations that if I’m able to be in front of Max that he wouldn’t necessarily ask me to swap positions and make Max win.

“I’m sure it wouldn’t be easy anyway to beat Max straight away. I have to get used to the car. I’m very excited.”

Rex

Tsunoda will become the latest man to team up with Max Verstappen[/caption]