Red Bull have delivered one of the most ruthless driver moves in F1 history after deciding to drop Liam Lawson after just two races.
The 23-year-old New Zealander will swap places with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda and return to Red Bull’s second team, Racing Bulls, from the next race in Japan in a week’s time.
The decision was reached by Red Bull bosses, including team principal Christian Horner, at a meeting in Dubai on Monday, insiders have told BBC Sport.
It is expected to be formally confirmed later this week by Red Bull, who refused to comment. Red Bull have long been renowned for the ruthlessness with which they handle their young driver programme.
Even in that context, the way they have dealt with Lawson has caused widespread disbelief in Formula 1. The move, first confirmed by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, comes after a dire start to Lawson’s Red Bull career.
The decision to promote Lawson to Red Bull, alongside Max Verstappen, after just 11 grands prix spread across two seasons was already questionable.
To demote him back to second team Racing Bulls after just two races in a swap with Tsunoda – who was passed over only three months ago – is, quite simply, extraordinary.
It raises serious questions about Red Bull’s management, primarily team principal Horner.
