Liam Lawson's brief Red Bull stint ends

Liam Lawson's time with Red Bull Racing as a Formula One driver ended after just two Grand Prix, with the New Zealander moved to the sister team Racing Bulls for the 2025 season. The decision to promote him to replace Sergio Pérez was later questioned by Christian Horner, then Red Bull's team principal.

Horner doubts the promotion decision

Christian Horner expressed doubts about promoting Liam Lawson to Red Bull Racing, believing the young driver was too inexperienced at the time. He argued that Lawson, with only eleven Formula One races under his belt, needed more time to develop before taking on such a demanding role.

Horner reflects on the decision in his book

In his autobiography Drive, Horner admitted he had serious doubts about Lawson's ability to handle the challenge with so little experience. He now views the promotion as premature, acknowledging that Lawson is performing well in 2026 with Racing Bulls.

Lawson's performance with Racing Bulls

Lawson has shown strong performance with Racing Bulls, scoring 69 points in 2026. His contributions have been significant, making up 61% of the team's points in the constructor's championship. This suggests he has adapted well to the team and is more consistent and mature than during his early days with Red Bull.

Lawson's future in Formula One

Liam Lawson is likely to retain his seat for the 2027 season, possibly alongside fellow young talent Arvid Lindblad. He remains focused on scoring points in the remaining races of 2026, showing resilience after the challenges of his brief time with Red Bull. His progress highlights the risks of rapid promotion but also his ability to recover and thrive.