Lawson Not Same After Red Bull Demotion

Alan Permane, Team Principal of Racing Bulls, recently spoke about how Liam Lawson struggled after his demotion from Red Bull. According to reporting by Formula 1 (site oficial), the New Zealander's spirit seemed dampened upon rejoining Racing Bulls following a stint at Red Bull in late 2025.

The former F1 race driver had previously impressed as a substitute for Daniel Ricciardo, only to be promoted to Red Bull’s mainline squad and partner Max Verstappen. However, his opening races with the team were disappointing, leading to his rapid return to Racing Bulls. Permane describes how Lawson's confidence visibly waned during this period.

He didn't really say much about it to start with, honestly, his head was down, according to Permane, who went on to detail the support provided by the team as they worked together to help him regain his form.

In the process of his return to Racing Bulls in 2026, and under more favorable circumstances, Lawson managed to make a comeback and is now making significant contributions to the team's midfield battle with Alpine.

What Factors Played a Role?

A major focus has been on how Lawson’s mindset improved post-demotion. Permane points out that the key was for him to disregard everything outside of driving, especially after his confirmation for 2026. The driver is praised for being laser-focused and more aware of the car's dynamics.

Lawson’s Role in Racing Bulls

This season, Lawson has been racing by the side of another rookie, Arvid Lindblad, helping to maintain a tense midfield battle with Alpine. The duo has scored impressive points together, contributing to consecutive double point finishes at Monaco, Barcelona, Austria, and Great Britain.

‘I don’t think Fernando [Alonso] has a driving style, I don’t think Max [Verstappen] has a driving style. They just drive the car however it needs to be driven to go quickest…’, Permane elaborates in a statement about Lawson’s adaptability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question?

Was Lawson affected by the demotion at Red Bull?

Liam Lawson's performance and confidence took time to recover after his Red Bull demotion, according to Alan Permane who noted he wasn't the same after the stint.