Liam Lawson names Christian Horner difference in 'new' Red Bull feeling

Liam Lawson has highlighted the difference in his relationship with Red Bull team principals after working with Christian Horner and Laurent Mekies.

Lawson was first promoted to the senior team in 2025, with Horner still at the helm, but was demoted back to Racing Bulls after just two races, where he went on to enjoy a strong season, including a career-best fifth in Azerbaijan. 

The New Zealander was not expected to drive for the team again, but after his strong performances throughout 2025 and into 2026, was called up to partner Max Verstappen when Isack Hadjar suffered a wrist injury and was ruled out of the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish GPs.

Lawson, now working under former Racing Bulls chief Mekies, Horner's replacement, has scored points in two of his three races, including a strong seventh at Zandvoort, and sixth in Madrid.

Reflecting on the differences between the two bosses, Lawson felt he was not at Red Bull for long enough to make a fair representation of working with Horner, as opposed to Mekies.

"I mean, I spent two races here last year at the very start of the season, so I don't have too much information on how the team was then," Lawson began when asked by media, including RacingNews365 , about the difference in the team under Mekies to Horner.

"I didn't spend long enough to really get to know [Horner], and I've spent much more time with Laurent, and also in VCARB, and now here with him. 

"He's somebody I have a good relationship with working at VCARB, and that probably makes the transition a bit nicer as well."

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Lawson's Red Bull learnings

When asked whether he could take any learnings from Red Bull back to Racing Bulls, Lawson explained that whilst there were some operational aspects, technical knowledge between the cars would be tough. 

"I mean the cars are completely different, so there is not something I can take back from here and bring it back to [Racing Bulls] and say: 'this is what we should do,'" said Lawson. 

"Because the way they are designed is completely different. 

"Sometimes, operationally, there are things that the team does which are different that maybe are interesting to learn from on both sides.

"There are some things VCARB do a very good job at, some things Red Bull do, but in terms of the cars, they are very different, so that's not really something I can cross-compare."