Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
Horner says Lawson should not have been promoted to Red Bull
Christian Horner says Liam Lawson should not have been promoted to Red Bull in 2025.
Horner, the team’s former principal, makes the case in his new autobiography, saying Lawson had made only 11 Formula 1 starts before joining the senior team alongside Max Verstappen.
Helmut Marko pushed for Lawson’s promotion, although Horner says he was uncomfortable with the decision.
Lawson was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after two races, following a crash in Australia and a 12th-place finish in China.
Lawson later returned to Red Bull for three races as a stand-in for the injured Isack Hadjar, then went back to Racing Bulls.
He is ninth in the drivers’ championship with 75 points, but his place on the 2027 grid is not confirmed.
Racing Bulls says it expects to decide its driver line-up in the coming weeks.
Christian Horner says Liam Lawson should not have been promoted to Red Bull in 2025.
In his autobiography, Horner said Lawson had too little experience to be placed alongside Max Verstappen.
Lawson made 11 grand prix starts before replacing Sergio Perez, then lasted two races before returning to Racing Bulls.
Horner said Helmut Marko championed Lawson’s promotion, despite Horner’s reservations.
Lawson later returned to Red Bull for three races and is now ninth in the drivers’ championship with 75 points.
- Who
- Christian Horner, former Red Bull team principal, said Liam Lawson should not have been promoted.
- What
- Horner said Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull was a mistake given his limited experience.
- When
- Horner’s comments appear in his new autobiography; Lawson was promoted for 2025.
- Where
- Red Bull’s senior Formula 1 team.
- Why
- Horner said Lawson had only 11 Formula 1 races of experience and would face a heavy burden alongside Max Verstappen.
Christian Horner
Helmut Marko
Promotion decision
Christian Horner
Horner said he felt uncomfortable with Lawson’s promotion and believed he should not have been promoted.
Helmut Marko
Horner said Marko championed Lawson’s promotion.
Horner said Marko had informed Lawson he would drive for Red Bull.
Lawson replaced Sergio Perez at Red Bull after making 11 grand prix starts.
Red Bull sent Lawson back to Racing Bulls and replaced him with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Lawson returned to Red Bull for three races, replacing the injured Isack Hadjar.
- Lawson’s experience before promotion
- 11 grand prix starts
- Red Bull stint
- Two races
- Replacement at Red Bull
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Autobiography
- Drive
- Lawson’s championship position and points
- Ninth; 75 points
What people are saying
Helmut [Marko] has championed the promotion, but I felt uncomfortable.
He was young and inexperienced, with only 11 Formula 1 races to his name, and we would be asking a huge amount from him, and meanwhile, Helmut was playing games.
The move back to Racing Bulls was tough for Liam. But he really shouldn’t have been promoted in the first place.