Lawson open to making Red Bull driver history: ‘It’s part of the conversation’

Liam Lawson is not ruling out the possibility of returning to Red Bull despite being demoted just two races into his time with the team.

After 11 grands prix in two stints with Red Bull’s ‘sister’ team over the past two seasons, Lawson found himself surprisingly thrust into the spotlight as Max Verstappen’s team-mate for this year after the team released Sergio Perez.

But miserable performances over the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix weekends in a difficult-to-handle car have forced the Red Bull hierarchy to make the difficult decision to demote the New Zealander back to Racing Bulls.

As to whether all hope has been severed regarding a potential return to Red Bull, he said: “I guess that’s part of the conversation. In a way that’s great.

“But I was already there starting the season and was focused on proving myself in the team at that point. So look, whatever happens down the line is more or less out of my control.

“What I can control is the driving stuff, to prove that. So where the future goes, honestly at this point, I’m not thinking about too much.”

Red Bull decision ‘tough to hear’

Lawson had at least hoped he would have been given the opportunity of one more with Red Bull at a track he at least knows with Suzuka after racing on three occasions at the circuit in 2023 – twice in Super Formula, and once in the Japanese Grand Prix in the stint with AlphaTauri when he replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo.

The 23-year-old’s demotion was an understandable ‘surprise’ but now he knows he needs to rebuild with Racing Bulls.

“Obviously, it [Red Bull’s decision to demote] is very early in the season,” he said. “I was hoping to go to a track that I’d raced before and have a clean weekend to have a chance like that.

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

“I have the opportunity to still be in Formula 1 and still racing, and that is the main thing for me. With this opportunity, 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 now to come in here in this position.”