Liam Lawson addresses Red Bull relationship after early season demotion

Liam Lawson has addressed his relationship with Red Bull following his early season demotion back to Racing Bulls, insisting he remains on "quite strong" terms. 

Following 11 appearances for the Red Bull sister squad across 2023 and 2024, Lawson was handed a first full-time F1 seat alongside Max Verstappen for the current campaign. 

He was chosen as Sergio Perez's replacement over Yuki Tsunoda, but immediately struggled in the Milton Keynes-based outfit. 

Lawson endured two challenging races in Australia and China, before being handed a shock demotion back to Racing Bulls – Tsunoda replaced him. 

It remains a decision Red Bull receives heavy criticism for, given the minimal time Lawson had to settle into what is historically viewed as a difficult seat.

Back in the sister team, Lawson found himself immediately being beaten by rookie Isack Hadjar, but is starting to rediscover some excellent form. 

Lawson has scored points in four of the last seven grands prix, with Q3 having been reached on each of those occasions.

Discussing in an exclusive RacingNews365 interview if time was needed to readjust back in Racing Bulls, Lawson explained: "I think we were approaching the season... I was approaching the season with Red Bull, and I was obviously preparing with Red Bull. 

"My whole understanding and learning of where the car was going was in a Red Bull car. 

"And I, obviously, didn't have much time then switching back. So, yeah, when you prepare with a team, to then switch, it's quite different. 

"But at the same time, I have driven this car in the past, a similar car, let's say. And you know, knowing the team, the transition was pretty smooth."

Red Bull relationship

Despite Hadjar's excellent start to his maiden F1 season, Lawson has gotten himself just two points adrift of the French-Algerian, following his recent form. 

The pace difference between the two Racing Bulls drivers has narrowed considerably, increasing Red Bull's options for next year should it wish to replace the struggling Tsunoda. 

Lawson has found the pace which saw him handed the Red Bull seat for 2025 after a period of readjustment in the Faenza-based outfit.

He has started to thrive back in the Racing Bulls environment, but is certain he continues to have an excellent relationship with both teams.

Asked if the sister team feels like a 'safe space', Lawson replied: "Honestly, across the teams, it's hard because I had spent so much time with both teams anyway.

"So my sort of relationships with the whole engineering side of both teams is quite strong now, just because of six or seven years of being in the [Red Bull] programme and coming up through the ranks. 

"So I would say, on that side, it's honestly, it's not too different. It's a team that I'm more used to working with, let's say in Formula 1. My time in the car has been with this team. 

"So for sure, that side of it is a bit, let's say, just more experience, or I have more understanding, but in terms of how I felt within both teams, honestly, I can't say that it was too different in terms of how I was feeling."