'Panicky' Red Bull slated: 'You can't think and act like that'

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has again taken another pot shot at Red Bull as it comes under fire for its decision to replace Liam Lawson after just two grands prix.

Despite Lawson's potential touted by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who favoured the New Zealander over Yuki Tsunoda as the replacement for Sergio Perez at the end of last year, the 23-year-old has failed to live up to the belief placed in him boss.

The decision still appears brutal, with Lawson not given the opportunity to race at a circuit he at least knows next up in Suzuka after twice racing at the renowned track in Super Formula in 2023.

It has left Schumacher aghast at the decision-making, which affects not only Red Bull but also Racing Bulls should Lawson return to the team with which he competed in his first 11 grands prix before his swift promotion.

"At Racing Bulls, they also spend a lot of money," said Schumacher, speaking to Formel1.de. "Now you finally have a stable situation with two good drivers working with the team and then it's taken apart again.

"I don't want to say that it wouldn't work with Lawson [at Racing Bulls], but I think it's all very difficult."

Turning his attention to the situation at Red Bull, Schumacher added: "I have to be honest, I am a big fan of Red Bull, and also of Dr. Helmut Marko.

"But when it comes down to it, it seems a bit head over heels and panicky to me [the decision taken] because under normal circumstances, if you have so much money in your hand and are structured like Red Bull, with the whole organisation attached to it, you can't think and act like that."