Liam Lawson ‘surprised’ by early Red Bull demotion as he vows to ‘prove I belong here’ amid Racing Bulls return

Liam Lawson has opened up on Red Bull’s decision to demote him back to Racing Bulls just two races into the season, with the New Zealander admitting that he was “surprised” by the call but now remains determined to prove he “belongs” in the sport.

Following a tough opening two rounds to the campaign – having crashed out in Australia amid treacherous conditions before qualifying in last place for both the Sprint and Grand Prix in China – it was confirmed in the days after Shanghai that Lawson would return to Racing Bulls as of the Japanese Grand Prix, while Yuki Tsunoda would step up to replace him as Max Verstappen’s team mate.

LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the build-up ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix weekend

Speaking to the media on Thursday at Suzuka, Lawson admitted that he was not expecting a swap to be made at this stage of the campaign.

“Obviously [it’s] an opportunity this weekend and maybe something I wasn’t expecting so early, but something that obviously is not my decision, and for me it’s about making the most of this opportunity now and still being in Formula 1,” the 23-year-old said. “It’s been a good week of preparations, so I’m excited to get going.”

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 03: The Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team welcome Liam Lawson of New Zealand — Lawson has returned to Racing Bulls following his Red Bull demotion, and was welcomed back to the sister outfit in Japan

Pushed further on whether he knew anything about the decision during the weekend in Shanghai, he added: “I had no idea in China – it was something that was decided I guess the Monday or Tuesday afterwards. I found out after China, basically. It was I think for all of us probably more unexpected, but it was after the weekend.”

And in terms of how the plan was presented to him – and whether it was explained – Lawson answered: “It was more of a done deal, I would say. I left China starting preparations for Japan, and basically I had a phone call saying this was what was going to happen.”

The Racing Bulls driver went on to reflect on how he adapted to the news in the days that followed as he prepares to race at a track he knows well – in contrast to the unknowns he faced in Melbourne and Shanghai.

“I think I was more surprised,” Lawson said of his reaction to the call. “Obviously it’s very early in the season, and I was hoping to go to a track that I’ve raced before and have a clean weekend to have a chance like that.

“The decision obviously was made when I was told, so although it was tough to hear, I had one or two days to think about it. Then I was in Faenza with VCARB [Racing Bulls] starting preparations and seat fits, and then you’re basically just focused on the job.

Liam Lawson replaced by Yuki Tsunoda

“I have the opportunity to still be in Formula 1 and still racing, and that is the main thing for me. I’m excited to be here. It’s been a strong start to the season for this team, for VCARB, so I guess it’s exciting for me to now come here in this position.”

While Red Bull boss Christian Horner spoke of acting on a “duty of care” for Lawson, the 23-year-old driver insisted that the move has not dented his confidence.

“Confidence-wise it doesn’t change a lot – we all have enough self-belief to be here, to make it to Formula 1,” he explained. “To be in the sport if you don’t have that self-belief, it makes it very difficult, so I think we all have that naturally.

“It doesn’t really change how I feel about myself. I think what it’s doing for me… The best opportunity I had felt like [it] was with Red Bull Racing and that’s where we’re all working towards, that’s what I was working towards since joining the junior programme as a 16-year-old, so obviously for me I’m going to feel like I would have liked to have made that opportunity work and that’s in my best interests.

“But Christian and the team will have their opinions on what’s best, and that’s up to them to decide.”

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 03: Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls looks on during — Lawson will pair up with rookie Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls

And when asked if a potential return to Red Bull could be on the cards one day should he perform well at Racing Bulls, Lawson insisted that his focus is on maximising his current opportunity.

“I think we know how Formula 1 is and how quickly things change,” he conceded. “If I look back a year ago, I had no seat – I was here a year ago watching and wishing I was racing. Then I had the opportunity to race in the last year and the opportunity then to go to Red Bull Racing, so a lot has happened in 12 months.

“For me the main thing is being in a car – I have the opportunity to prove I belong here and that’s what I’ll try and do, and that’s what I do every single time I get in the car and that’s what I’ll be doing this weekend. Things change very quickly in terms of where my future is – I don’t know, and for me the only way I can control that is by driving fast.”