Lawson does not agree with Horner: 'My best interest was not this'

After the Chinese Grand Prix, the decision has arrived: Liam Lawson was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull Racing. The New Zealander shared his thoughts on whether this was the best decision in his development.

Just after two rounds were completed in the 2025 Formula 1 season, it was announced that a driver swap will take place at Red Bull Racing. From the Japanese Grand Prix onwards, Yuki Tsunoda will be Max Verstappen's teammate at the Austrian side, while Lawson will now return to Racing Bulls.

The New Zealander explained that this does not change how confident he feels in his abilities at all. "Confidence-wise, it doesn't change a lot. We all have enough self-belief to be here, to make it to Formula 1. And to be in the sport, if you don't have that self-belief, I think it makes it very, very difficult. So I think we all have that naturally. It doesn't really change how I feel about myself," he began in Suzuka.

'Best interest to make it work at Red Bull'

Lawson could not score a single point for Red Bull in Melbourne or Shanghai, and was eliminated in Q1 in every qualifying session, including Sprint Qualifying in China as well. While team principal Christian Horner said they have a 'duty of care' to Lawson, the driver believes that was not his best interest.

"I think what it's doing for me, the best opportunity I had felt like [was] with Red Bull Racing. That's what I was working towards since joining the junior program as a 16-year-old."

He concluded: "So obviously for me, I'm going to feel like I would have liked to have made that opportunity work, and that's in my best interest. But obviously, the Christian and the team will have their opinions on what's best and that's up to them to decide."

Read also

Lawson's sponsor supports Red Bull's decision: 'Will be good for him'

Horner's brutally honest reflection on Lawson's Red Bull tenure: 'Asked too much too soon'

This is how Lawson was told he was replaced by Red Bull Racing