Liam Lawson reveals 'brief' Christian Horner exchange after Red Bull exit

Liam Lawson has revealed he exchanged messages "briefly" with Christian Horner following the latter's sacking by Red Bull.

Horner was dismissed as team principal and CEO of Red Bull on July 9th, days after the British GP, with Lawson's Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies promoted as Horner's replacement.

Lawson started the season as one of Horner's two drivers at Red Bull, but the New Zealander was demoted back to Racing Bulls after just two races, in Australia and China. 

Reacting publicly to the news of Horner's exit for the first time, Lawson conceded that he was "surprised" but that it did not affect him as he revealed a brief exchange of messages.

"[I found out] the same as everybody else, in the media, I don't remember when it was announced, but I found out afterwards," Lawson told media, including RacingNews365.

"It wasn't something we expected, but obviously things change in Formula 1, and it was surprising having these changes, but it doesn't really change too much from my point of view what I'm trying to achieve and what I am working on."

When then questioned if he had been in contact with Horner, Lawson indicated that he had, but did not expand on details.

"Yeah, it was just after text, briefly," he said, before expanding on his relationship with Horner.

"It was definitely tough to go through, and I made it pretty clear that I didn't think it was the right thing to do.

"But it is a professional relationship, and when we're working here, it is all very professional, and for that, it didn't change too much. 

"We didn't have too much time to really think about things, and I was straight into another race weekend, and it has been like that since."