Red Bull’s brief 2025 drive for Liam Lawson ended after only two rounds, sending the New Zealander back to AlphaTauri.
Red Bull 2023 Breakthrough
Lawson first appeared on the grid in 2023 as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement at the Dutch GP, stepping in after Ricciardo suffered a hand injury.
The five‑race stint proved a launchpad, with Lawson’s pace and consistency earning him a full‑time seat for 2024 when AlphaTauri finalised the transition from Ricciardo.
2025 Promotion and Demotion
Red Bull promoted Lawson in 2025, opting for him over Yuki Tsunoda. Two hard‑hit weekends showed the 24‑year‑old struggled to extract the car’s potential.
Consequently, Lawson was swapped back to AlphaTauri and given the time needed to refine his skill set, contributing to the team’s sixth‑place finish in the constructors’ standings.
Current Season Rivalry
In the 2026 season, Lawson fights a close intra‑team battle with rookie Arvid Lindblad, currently leading the pair 8‑6 in qualifying times.
Team principal Alan Permane praised Lawson’s transformation: “He worked hard in the simulator, on and off track, turning in performances that now match his own expectations.”
Future Outlook
Red Bull’s leadership has changed since Lawson’s short stint, with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko no longer in the mix. A return to the main team remains possible, albeit likely fleeting, as the organisation balances driver progression and the impact of other developing talents such as Nikola Tsolov.
With repair expectations for Isack Hadjar narrowing, Lawson’s next Red Bull assignment could be even briefer than the first, bringing his credentials to a new horizon of opportunity.
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