May 1, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; RB driver Liam Lawson (30) walks on the paddock area at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
May 1, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; RB driver Liam Lawson (30) walks on the paddock area at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Jun 22, 2026, 10:30 AM CUT
"I was devastated": Liam Lawson calls out Red Bull and Alpine over 'unfair' F1 firings
Liam Lawson has bared the reality behind his 'unfair' Red Bull axing in the 2025 F1 season. The New Zealand driver underwent one of the harshest firings in F1 history, as the team demoted him to junior team Racing Bulls after just the two opening races of the season.
The then-Christian Horner-led organization gave Lawson no breathing room or a chance to prove his worth in the car, let alone in comparison to teammate Max Verstappen. After a crash at the season-opening Australian GP and a 12th-place finish in China, Red Bull promoted Yuki Tsunoda in his place.
On Sunday's episode of the "High Performance" podcast, Liam Lawson opened up on that ordeal. He said:
"I was obviously frustrated, devastated at the time, but there was nothing I could do about it anymore."
Apr 30, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson (30) arrives to the paddock area at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson (30) arrives to the paddock area at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The 24-year-old also brought up the example of Jack Doohan, who faced a similar fate at Alpine and was axed after five races in 2025.
"There's a lot of guys that got badly treated, unfairly treated in Formula 1, and we're out. Over the years, there's many cases you'd argue that wasn't fair. Jack Doohan, somebody who did five races - that is not fair to judge somebody. I had two in Red Bull, but even five races is not fair to judge somebody in Formula 1."
Alpine replaced Doohan with reserve driver France Colapinto, who also reportedly did not have a full-time guarantee, but managed to secure his seat into 2026.
Lawson also dismissed the false narrative that he was mentally struggling during that short Red Bull stint.
Liam Lawson reveals Max Verstappen's support after Red Bull axing
While Liam Lawson was upset with Red Bull's abrupt decision, he held Max Verstappen in high regard. The New Zealand driver revealed that Verstappen had treated him very well since the time he was a Red Bull junior/reserve driver in 2021.
The Dutchman would make him feel heard and a part of the team. And that support continued throughout their short partnership and even in conversations after Lawson's exit.
"When I went to Red Bull, through all of that, he was very supportive," Lawson said. "I won't go into too much detail about that, but he was very, very supportive. I think I just really appreciated it (his support)."
Fortunately for Liam Lawson, his Red Bull exit paid dividends. He outscored his replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, and is still racing in F1, while Tsunoda has been relegated to a reserve driver.
Moreover, after seven races in 2026, he is only six points behind Red Bull's new second driver, Isack Hadjar. That too, in the car of the junior team, Racing Bulls.
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