Liam Lawson claimed to have discovered Red Bull demotion in worst way – 'It’s terrible'
Liam Lawson was dropped by Red Bull after just two races of the 2025 Formula 1 season, and the fashion in which the New Zealander allegedly learnt of the decision will not sit well with some
Acclaimed Formula 1 photographer Kym Illman has detailed the brutal way Liam Lawson supposedly got wind of his Red Bull demotion. Having had a rough beginning to his stint as Max Verstappen's wingman, Lawson suffered the axe from his driving duties at Red Bull following Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.
The Kiwi didn't manage to complete the inaugural race at the Australian Grand Prix and again missed out on points with a 12th-place finish out in Shanghai. It soon emerged Yuki Tsunoda would be stepping up as Red Bull's No2 driver for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix on April 6.
Meanwhile, Lawson will head back to Racing Bulls. However, it's claimed he only found out about his switch at the same time as the everyone else. Illman has claimed he discovered his change of job publicly, rather than first being informed behind closed doors.
This revelation hasn't cast Red Bull in the most professional light, piling on further pressure amid an already difficult period for the team. And this latest revelation is particularly problematic given Lawson's scant opportunity to bounce back after a stumbling start this season.
"One of the interesting things about this is that the story was broken by this fella Jacky Martens, who works for a smallish publication in the Netherlands called The Limburger," Illman said on Instagram. "He broke the story and my understanding is, and this is terrible... Liam was not told the decision.
"He would have learnt about it once this story got out. And that is a terrible thing to do to a young fella."
Australian Illman also revealed Honda's role in helping to promote Tsunoda and the timing of the move. It's his assertion the Japanese manufacturer had previously offered Red Bull £8.3million (€10m) to make Tsunoda their No. 2 last summer, but the proposal was rejected.
However, in light of Lawson's struggles, Red Bull re-approached Honda and asked if the deal was still on the table, reports the Daily Express. Honda confirmed it was, but only if Red Bull promoted Tsunoda as Verstappen's new partner ahead of their home GP next month.
Christian Horner maintained the decision to replace Lawson was a "purely sporting decision" based on the start made in 2025. While understanding the desperation for results, it's hard not to feel sympathetic towards Lawson being moved on after such a short testing phase.
"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," said Horner. "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.
"We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21, and Yuki's experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car. We welcome him to the team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21.
"We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience as he continues his F1 career with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well."
Illman suggested Lawson might just outperform Tsunoda in Japan once he's free from the pressure cauldron of driving for Red Bull. Fans are eager to watch both rising stars make their mark at the Suzuka circuit, with Lawson perhaps having more to prove in his return to the track.