The Rise and Fall of Liam Lawson: A 99-Day Red Bull F1 Saga
The dramatic story of Liam Lawson's meteoric rise and sudden demotion from Red Bull Racing after just 99 days, struggling alongside champion Max Verstappen.
From Dream to Reality: Lawson's Red Bull Journey
Liam Lawson's Formula 1 journey took a dramatic turn when the 22-year-old New Zealander was promoted to Red Bull Racing, only to be demoted after just 99 days. This is the story of one of the shortest stints in recent F1 history.
The Promising Beginning
- December 19, 2024: Lawson was confirmed as Sergio Pérez's replacement, beating out Yuki Tsunoda
- The young driver called it a "dream" but acknowledged the challenge of partnering with Max Verstappen
- Lawson expressed championship ambitions: "I have a goal of winning world championships..."
The Reality Check
Testing Troubles
- Completed just 149 laps in Bahrain preseason testing (second-lowest of all drivers)
- Finished 11th fastest in testing times
- Technical director Pierre Wache noted: "Liam's feedback was very close to Max's"
Race Weekend Woes
- Australian GP: Qualified 18th, DNF after spinning in wet conditions
- Chinese GP: Qualified last in sprint session, finished 12th in race (lifted by post-race disqualifications)
- Lawson admitted: "Unfortunately I don't really have time" to fix his issues
The Inevitable Demotion
- Red Bull officially announced Tsunoda would replace Lawson from Japanese GP
- Team principal Christian Horner cited it as a "purely sporting decision"
- Lawson showed remarkable self-awareness: "I'm not stupid... if I'm not performing, I'm not going to be around"
The Verstappen Factor
Comparison with the reigning champion proved too much:
| Metric | Verstappen | Lawson |
|---|---|---|
| Best Qualifying | 2nd (China Sprint) | 18th (Australia) |
| Race Finishes | Two podiums | One 12th place |
| Laps Completed | 100% | 66% |
Lessons from Red Bull's Talent Carousel
Lawson becomes the latest in a line of drivers who struggled alongside Verstappen:
- Pierre Gasly (2019)
- Alexander Albon (2019-20)
- Sergio Pérez (2021-24)
"The pressure of driving alongside Max is unlike anything in Formula 1," observed former F1 driver Romain Grosjean.
What's Next for Lawson?
- Returns to Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri)
- Faces crucial season to prove F1 credentials
- Must demonstrate ability to handle pressure and extract performance
Red Bull's Helmut Marko hinted: "We haven't closed the door completely, but Liam must show significant progress."
This intense 99-day experiment reveals the ruthless nature of top-tier Formula 1 and the incredible standard set by Verstappen's dominance.
Latvia
21:00 Europe, UEFA WC Qualification, Round 5
21:00
Serbia
Armenia
00:00 Europe, UEFA WC Qualification, Round 5
00:00
Portugal
England
00:00 Europe, UEFA WC Qualification, Round 5
00:00
Andorra
San Marino
02:45 Europe, UEFA WC Qualification, Round 5
02:45
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Austria
02:45 Europe, UEFA WC Qualification, Round 5
02:45
Cyprus
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