The Formula 1 team has confirmed the abrupt sacking of Liam Lawson after just two races with Red Bull.
Red Bull said they had a “duty to care for and protect” Lawson after moving him to the Racing Bulls and replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda for the Japanese driver's home race at Suzuka next week on Sunday.
New Zealander Lawson's situation at Red Bull has been unclear since a poor weekend in China. He qualified bottom of both the sprint race and the Grand Prix, and retired from his Red Bull debut in Melbourne the week before.
Lawson then finished 12th in the main event in Shanghai, 81 seconds behind winner Oscar Piastri, while team principal Christian Horner refused to confirm he would remain in their car for a third outing in Japan.
After Sunday's race, the Red Bull team decided to bring Lawson back to the Racing Bulls and promote Tsunoda, who was not initially considered for the seat.
“It was difficult to watch Liam struggle with the RB21 in the first two races and so we collectively took the decision to make an early change,” Horner explained in a statement released by Red Bull on Thursday.
“We approach the 2025 season with two objectives: to retain the Drivers’ World Championship title and to regain the Constructors’ World Championship title, and this is a purely sporting decision.
“We recognise that there is a lot of work to do with the RB21 and Yuki's experience will be very useful in developing the current car. We are delighted to have him on board and are looking forward to seeing him drive the RB21.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
