LIAM LAWSON: YUKI TSUNODA DEMOTION IS PROOF F1 IS A VERY, VERY TOUGH GAME
Liam Lawson reflected on his journey from being replaced at Red Bull after just two races of the season to securing a contract extension with Racing Bulls.
Red Bull and its sister team announced earlier this week that Isack Hadjar is set to be promoted to a seat alongside four-time champion Max Verstappen at the Milton Keynes outfit. Lawson will remain at Racing Bulls and will be joined by Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad.
"I definitely think about that phrase [everything happens for a reason] a lot, and I always try and tell myself that sometimes in the bad moments," Lawson told Sky Sports F1.
"At the start of the year, obviously, I was having a lot of those sorts of thoughts with what was going on, but at the same time, it's hard to say that now because I think to be in the sport, we all believe in ourselves, obviously. I think you couldn't be here if you thought that somebody was better than you.
"And I would have liked to have thought that with the right amount of time, I would have got my head around it honestly, because for me, two races was... I honestly don't even really remember them. They were so short, but I do believe in that phrase sometimes, and I do think that there are a lot of things that have happened this year that have made me a lot stronger, and I've learned a lot from."
The changes within Red Bull mean that Yuki Tsunoda is out of a full-time seat in 2026 and will instead move into a reserve driver role.
"I think it's tricky, because in the same way that I would feel for anybody that's not in Formula 1 that's worked a long time to get there, but at the same time, there are a lot of guys who don't get the opportunity ever," Lawson said when asked if he felt bad for the Japanese driver. "And he's had a few years in the sport. It's a very, very tough game, which obviously I've learned as well."
Photos from Abu Dhabi GP - Thursday
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Pato O'Ward, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 04: A detailed view of the Driver World Champion's trophy during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 04, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Sam Bagna
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Ayumu Iwasa, Racing Bulls
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Paul Aron, Alpine F1
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Jak Crawford, Aston Martin F1 Team
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Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Pato O'Ward, McLaren
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George Russell, Mercedes
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
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Benson Boone
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Paul Aron, Alpine F1
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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2025-12-04T12:27:52Z