Liam Lawson explains 'big difference' after vital cost of Red Bull demotion

Liam Lawson believes having stability at Racing Bulls through the off-season into next year will make a "big difference" after being dropped by Red Bull two rounds into the campaign.

The New Zealander effectively lost the benefit of his winter preparation when he moved from the RB21 to the VCARB 02 between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.

Nonetheless, through the devastation of losing his seat to Yuki Tsunoda, he was able to salvage his F1 career from the wreckage, at the expense of the 25-year-old, who will spend next year on the sidelines as Red Bull reserve.

Meanwhile, Lawson will partner rookie Arvid Lindblad at the Milton Keynes-based squad's second team, having impressed the top brass enough with his return to form — in the end finishing only 13 points behind Isack Hadjar — whilst the Japanese driver struggled alongside Max Verstappen.

Upon securing his contract extension, Lawson spoke exclusively with RacingNews365, explaining how the early-season switch left him playing "catch-up" against his rivals.

"What I'm looking forward to is that off-season to have time with the team and prepare properly," the 23-year-old says.

"Because I think this year, with the way it all started, I definitely felt like I missed a lot of the preseason development, building... because, especially in a season that's so close, this year, it was tiny margins; it's been tiny margins all through the year.

"So when I first came [back to Racing Bulls], it was very much: where are things that with the car, what's the direction we're going.

"It was a new side of the garage for me; it was trying to almost play catch-up with everybody, especially with how rough the first couple of races were.

"Obviously, I have no idea how next year is going to go, but knowing that I have that time before the season — I have a set amount of days that I can basically make the most of and spend with the team — and that preparation, I'm actually excited for, to try and be as ready as possible for next year."

Explaining the 'big difference'

Having deputised for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at a handful of races in 2023 and then replaced the Australian driver at RB for the end of the following campaign, the winter into 2025 was Lawson's first off-season in F1.

In his view, having that time before the competitive track action gets underway is crucial, given how geared towards a driver's specific car the off-season is, with a particular focus on tailoring a package to individual preferences.

"I think it is, honestly, because we spend so much time... all the conversations are about the car that you're driving, the direction that you're going," Lawson explains.

"You're trying to make it suited for you, as well. You're doing things and working on things to make it more of a suitable car for you to drive.

"And also, because they were quite different to drive, especially from where I ended last year, I was getting my head around a completely different car, and then I jumped back into this car, which, to be honest, was even different from how we ended last year, because of the new developments.

"And it was just trying to play catch-up with where things were at. I do think it makes, actually, quite a big difference."