Lawson: “It was naive to think there would be time for adaptation.”

Lawson, who joined Red Bull at the start of the 2025 season as Max Verstappen's teammate, replacing Sergio Perez, missed the biggest opportunity of his career, but he struggled in Australia and China. After failing to meet expectations at these two venues, where he hadn't raced before, the New Zealand driver was sent back to Racing Bulls ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

"Looking back, it was a bit naive to think I would be given time to adapt because that was the initial approach. But it's a very difficult situation," Lawson told Sky Sports F1.

Lawson, who took to the track for the Racing Bulls at Suzuka after the decision, said, "What surprised me was that the decision was made so early. I would have loved to have a clean weekend at a track I've raced at before. But by the time I was told, the decision had already been made. I started preparing for VCARB within a few days. I'm still racing in Formula 1, and that's important to me."

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

Tsunoda has amassed nine points since taking over at Red Bull, while Lawson returned to the Racing Bulls and secured his first points with an eighth-place finish in Monaco. He now sits in 15th place in the drivers' standings, totaling 20 points.

Lawson also responded to a question about Tsunoda's pressure: "Of course I feel sorry for a driver who struggles in that position because this sport is very difficult. But my situation was a bit different; I lost the seat before I even had a chance to compete on a track I'd raced on before."