Hamilton in jibe at Red Bull: 'Not surprised to see from them'

Lewis Hamilton has conceded he is "not surprised" by Red Bull's "harsh" decision to drop Liam Lawson after only two Formula 1 races with the team.

Lawson was chosen as Sergio Perez's replacement alongside Max Verstappen after the Mexican's continued struggles showed no sign of improving.

But the New Zealander crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix and then qualified slowest of all for both the Chinese Grand Prix sprint and main race, leaving Red Bull to pull the trigger early and promote Yuki Tsunoda.

It means the Japanese driver will be Verstappen's sixth teammate at the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with Lawson the third not to reach a second full season.

With Nyck de Vries jettisoned after 11 races in 2023, Lawson is the second Red Bull-affiliated driver within two years to lose his seat before halfway through a season.

'Two races is pretty harsh'

Asked for his thoughts on the Lawson-Tsunoda swap ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton replied: "I am not surprised to see [it from] them[Red Bull].

"I don't really have any views on it.

"Both great drivers. I think we have got a lot of really great drivers here, particularly young, talented drivers.

"I think there's naturally a lot of pressure on youngsters coming in.

"There is no way you can fully get on top of a car which is known to not be the easiest car to drive.

"Just to give him two races is pretty harsh."

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