{"id":31857,"date":"2025-03-22T11:01:57","date_gmt":"2025-03-22T15:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=31857"},"modified":"2025-03-22T11:09:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-22T15:09:12","slug":"f1-red-bull-considering-lawson-mid-season-swap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/22\/f1-red-bull-considering-lawson-mid-season-swap\/","title":{"rendered":"F1: Red Bull considering Lawson mid-season swap"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/22\/liam-lawson-under-pressure-after-poor-results-with-red-bull\/\" target=\"_self\">Liam Lawson<\/a> wouldn&#8217;t have expected his Red Bull seat to be under threat so early in 2025. However, the 23-year-old&#8217;s place is undoubtedly under question &#8211; <strong>as he fails to extract performance from the RB21<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>With each passing qualifying and race, Red Bull&#8217;s patience with Lawson is being tested.<\/p>\n<p>His margin for error is already very limited, as <strong>Christian Horner&#8217;s personnel evaluate his alarming form<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h4>Liam Lawson already walking a tightrope<\/h4>\n<p>On paper, there is every reason for <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/20\/red-bull-unfazed-ahead-of-new-flexi-wing-restrictions\/\" target=\"_self\">Red Bull<\/a> to give Lawson plenty of time to acclimatise.<\/p>\n<p>This was almost certainly their plan, considering they overlooked both Daniel Ricciardo and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/21\/tsunoda-has-made-quantum-leap-in-performance-says-marko\/\" target=\"_self\">Yuki Tsunoda<\/a> before handing the 23-year-old a contract.<\/p>\n<p>Even prior to his comeback in COTA last year, <strong>Red Bull saw Lawson as a preferred choice over Tsunoda<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The Kiwi only needed stay within a respectable distance of his Japanese teammate for a promotion.<\/p>\n<p>He succeeded in this regard, which was enough for Christian Horner to give him the green light.<\/p>\n<p>However, with just 11 races under his belt before 2025, <strong>Lawson&#8217;s inexperience is showing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"a6OSBuwaROlqKHsgpCOPpg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2206153742\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'a6OSBuwaROlqKHsgpCOPpg',sig:'PQX7FjAnqfpW2SFccHyXqtl2ZWrH-ba2DfmHJRmHFt8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2206153742',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>He is <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/22\/verstappen-lawson-would-be-faster-in-the-vcarb\/\" target=\"_self\">nowhere near Max Verstappen<\/a>, but even worse, several steps away from fighting for points.<\/p>\n<p>The situation is <strong>even more concerning than the height of Sergio Perez&#8217;s difficulties<\/strong>. He at least managed to finish in the top 10 and make Q3 appearances.<\/p>\n<h4>Red Bull&#8217;s patience could soon run out<\/h4>\n<p>Over the winter, Red Bull insisted over that Lawson had more potential than Tsunoda.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately for the Milton Keynes outfit, the evidence suggests they overestimated the Kiwi&#8217;s adaptability.<\/p>\n<p>Considering that Pierre Gasly and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/16\/carlos-sainz-became-alex-albons-strategist-in-australia-vowles\/\" target=\"_self\">Alex Albon<\/a> suffered a similar fate, their decision to overlook a faster, more experienced option in Tsunoda is all the more inexplicable.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless, Red Bull are not oblivious to the concerning situation that is unfolding.<\/p>\n<p><strong>They cannot afford to give Lawson until the summer break to progress<\/strong> &#8211; at least whilst he is outside the top 10.<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.the-race.com\/formula-1\/liam-lawson-red-bull-seat-already-at-risk-disastrous-start-f1-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">It is understood that the Japanese GP<\/a>, round three of the season, will be crucial for Lawson.<\/p>\n<p>Should he fail to improve in Suzuka, a track he is very familiar with after his time in SuperFormula, Red Bull will be pushed to consider alternatives.<\/p>\n<p>After all, <strong>Yuki Tsunoda is ready and waiting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Not only is Tsunoda more likely to deliver results, but it could be detrimental for Lawson&#8217;s career to spend weekend after weekend at the back of the field.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"nIE16zj6SoxPl-g3U3tMxg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2206159562\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'nIE16zj6SoxPl-g3U3tMxg',sig:'V9HXumQigxl0Y73KG_oSiNm27EMiZzKl5XnoTSwHs9w=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2206159562',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Speaking after another disappointing qualifying, Lawson was candid about the situation:<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;It was a messy session and had we not dealt with traffic, it might have been okay. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;But <strong>it is still not good enough to be having these issues<\/strong>, we should be fast enough on our first lap. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;We shouldn\u2019t need a perfect session to get out of Q1, we should be well down the road. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;It\u2019s a tough car to drive for sure and you always want more time to get used to it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;The window in this car is really small and that is known, but that is not an excuse. I have got to get a handle on it.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"Fa87_b3bSlRjX0i7gHjtWw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2206339949\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Fa87_b3bSlRjX0i7gHjtWw',sig:'ZZzlzsWd0s9n0aeYK06kVXFo3ExAicgS-v7Rrc5L_ag=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2206339949',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Lawson aware he must improve<\/h4>\n<p>Before the season began, Liam Lawson made some very confident statement to the media.<\/p>\n<p>He insisted that F1 drivers are <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/02\/20\/lawson-it-doesnt-matter-if-red-bull-suits-my-driving-style\/\" target=\"_self\">&#8220;meant to be able to drive what we&#8217;re given&#8221;<\/a>, regardless of other factors.<\/p>\n<p>Although this comment does not mean he isn&#8217;t deserving of some grace, it shows <strong>his awareness of the high-stakes Red Bull environment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>If he were at least at the bottom end of the top 10, the Austrian team would like nothing more than to give him some breathing space.<\/p>\n<p>However, his current run of form is unprecedented for any Red Bull driver in recent memory.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/12\/29\/liam-lawson-driving-style-wont-be-an-excuse-at-red-bull\/\" target=\"_self\">Lawson understands the severity of his situation<\/a>, emphasising that no excuses can substitute results:<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;We have had glimpses where it feels good, and I think to drive a Formula 1 car you need 100% confidence.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;I am not saying I don\u2019t have it. But right now <strong>I just seem to be missing the window I need the car in<\/strong> \u2013 it is that I need to get on top of. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;The team are doing a really good job to support me, it is not something they can do. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;We are all working together and they will continue to help me with the car.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;But <strong>it is something I need to do, I need to drive the car faster<\/strong>. We have an opportunity tomorrow.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liam Lawson wouldn&#8217;t have expected his Red Bull seat to be under threat so early in 2025. However, the 23-year-old&#8217;s place is undoubtedly under question &#8211; as he fails to extract performance from the RB21. With each passing qualifying and race, Red Bull&#8217;s patience with Lawson is being tested. His margin for error is already [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4927,"featured_media":31858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[884,2452,1755],"class_list":["post-31857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-formula-1","category-news","tag-chinese-gp","tag-f1-2025-season","tag-liam-lawson"],"modified_by":"Jaden Diaz-Ndisang","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31857","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4927"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31857"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31857\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31865,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31857\/revisions\/31865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31858"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31857"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31857"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31857"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}