“We were asking too much of him too soon”: Christian Horner admits Red Bull's hasty decision flaws amid Liam Lawson demotion

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner admitted the team might have been too eager to push young drivers after Liam Lawson 's unexpected demotion with just two races into the 2025 season. Liam Lawson was dropped for Yuki Tsunoda , a change that has caused controversy among fans and experts alike, with many thinking Liam Lawson should be given a longer chance to prove himself.

Red Bull chief looks back at mistakes as Liam Lawson returns to Racing Bulls


Christian Horner, in an interview with Sky Sports, confirmed that the team has a tendency to make quick promotion choices.

“In previous years, we have perhaps promoted drivers too soon. If I think back to Alex Albon’s time… Pierre Gasly was rushed through as Daniel Ricciardo moved to Renault at that time as well.” Christian Horner said, pointing out that their young driver program is there to bring talent through and, although it has created some top-class drivers, it has also put others under pressure prematurely.

Liam Lawson's early difficulties forced Red Bull to make the choice

Christian Horner conceded that Liam Lawson had been noticeably struggling with the Red Bull pressures, and despite the young Kiwi's potential, the team could not afford to wait for him to settle. “I think with everything that we saw in Australia and China, it was really affecting Liam quite badly,” Horner conceded. “I think that Liam is a driver with talent; maybe within half a season he would have got there, but we just don't have that amount of time. I think we were asking too much of him too soon, and so this is for him to again nurture that talent that we know that he has back in the racing bulls seat whilst giving Yuki the opportunity and looking to make use of the experience that he has. I'm sure it's not the pleasantest thing you have to do.”

Horner underscored that the decision was not about abandoning Lawson but allowing him to keep growing in a less stressful environment.

“I think obviously it's always very hard taking away someone’s dreams and aspirations but I think in this instance it was very clear to the engineering side within the team, just how much Liam was struggling with it all,” he explained. “The engineers were coming to me very concerned about it and at the end of the day, I think it was the logical thing to do,” he said.

Red Bull's expectations for Suzuka

Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix , Horner admitted that although Red Bull has traditionally done well at Suzuka, McLaren is currently the team to beat. “Suzuka is a track that has tended to suit us over and over for the last three years; it's a track that Max really loves and Yuki knows well," he said.

Also read: Christian Horner’s texting scandal left Red Bull in disarray, McLaren took full advantage, says Zak Brown

With Tsunoda taking over the second Red Bull spot, everyone will be watching the Japanese driver to see if he will excel in the chance that was denied to Lawson. Lawson, on the other hand, will be looking to settle into Racing Bulls, hoping to get another chance at the top Red Bull team soon.