Liam Lawson handed evidence Red Bull exit not career-defining

Sky Formula 1 commentator David Croft believes Racing Bulls will have told Liam Lawson that Pierre Gasly is proof that being axed by Red Bull is not career-defining.

Since being dropped by Red Bull Racing after just the opening 12 races in 2019, Gasly has gone on to reinvent himself, first at Scuderia AlphaTauri (now known as Racing Bulls), and has comfortably led Alpine F1 Team since 2023.

The Frenchman has been responsible for the vast majority of Alpine's points in recent seasons, with his stock steadily increasing.

In the eyes of many, Gasly could do an excellent job in a leading outfit. As for Lawson, he was removed from Red Bull and returned to the sister team after just two races alongside Max Verstappen last year, where he has remained ever since.

While Lawson's return to Racing Bulls was initially marked by performance struggles, he has since settled back into the Faenza-based team well and has become a regular points finisher.

Gasly and Lawson both scored points in the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing seventh and ninth respectively, with Verstappen in eighth, unable to find a way past.

According to Croft, Gasly could do a strong job in a top team and serves as evidence to Lawson that a successful career can still be built after a difficult spell at Red Bull.

Discussing Gasly's start to the season, Croft said on the Sky F1 podcast: "He had an outstanding weekend in Suzuka. He's having a fine season. He kept Max at bay brilliantly in the race.

I think the two of them probably had a lot of fun with that particular battle, and it was nice to see them really going for it. Alpine lean on Pierre Gasly to score the bulk of their points and to get the best results.

He is paid significantly more than Franco Colapinto to do so, and he's delivering. Why wouldn't he be an attraction for any team that is looking for a new driver in the future? And if Carlos Sainz is a target for Aston Martin, then maybe Pierre Gasly could be as well.

But it is great to see, and I think this is what Racing Bulls are saying to Liam Lawson at the moment: losing your drive at Red Bull is not the end of your racing career. 

"You just have to look at Pierre Gasly to see how that can happen—use him as your inspiration. I think Liam is doing that and is performing well as a result."