Liam Lawson has hinted that he does feel some relief at seeing Yuki Tsunoda's struggles at Red Bull following his own axe.
Promoted to replace Sergio Perez for 2025, Lawson was sent back to Racing Bulls after just two rounds, having never driven at Australia's Albert Park and China's Shanghai circuits.
Despite hopes Tsunoda would score points to aid Red Bull's constructors' championship quest, the Japanese racer only has seven points for Red Bull in 10 races and one sprint, where he took his best result with sixth in the shorter Miami race, albeit after multiple penalties promoted him into the points.
Since 2019, Red Bull has struggled badly with its second seat alongside Max Verstappen, with Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, and Lawson all discarded, with Gasly and Lawson being so mid-season.
In Austria, Lawson scored more points with eight for his sixth place than Tsunoda has for Red Bull, with the New Zealander hinting at some relief at seeing his former team-mate struggle.
"Potentially yes," Lawson replied when questioned by Sky Sports F1 if Tsunoda's struggles alleviated any stress about his own time with the team.
"At the same time, I had two races and honestly didn't get to grips with it at all in that time, so it is something I won't know.
"It was a couple of very tough weekends, and I worked my whole career to get to Red Bull Racing, and it was a tough start to the season.
"I'm super proud of the guys and girls because there has been a lot of work to help me get comfortable in this car, and it has felt good."
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