Christian Horner on Liam Lawson's Recent Struggles

In a tense post-race discussion following the Chinese Grand Prix, Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, faced a barrage of questions regarding Liam Lawson's position within the team. The young New Zealander's struggles in recent races have raised concerns about his future with the second-place team.

Liam Lawson's Challenging Weekend in China

Liam Lawson, who made his debut with Red Bull at the Australian Grand Prix, experienced a challenging weekend in China. After qualifying at the back of the grid in 20th position during both the Sprint and main qualifying sessions, he faced an uphill battle to score any points. Compounding his difficulties, Lawson had to start from the pit lane for the second consecutive weekend due to significant set-up changes made by the team. Despite his best efforts, he could only manage to finish 15th, eventually moving up to 12th due to post-race disqualifications of other drivers.

Christian Horner's Response to Speculation

When pressed on how long Red Bull can tolerate such performances, particularly when his teammate Max Verstappen competes near the front, Horner acknowledged Lawson's difficult streak. "I think Liam’s had a tough couple of races. We managed to gather reasonable data from his performance, and we’ll analyze that going forward," he stated, showing his commitment to support the young driver.

Speculation Around Driver Changes

However, speculation surrounding Lawson's future intensified in the paddock, with rumors suggesting Red Bull might consider a driver change before the next race in Japan. Horner addressed these rumors by saying, "There’s always going to be speculation in the paddock. We’re focused on gathering information and figuring out the best path for him."

Confidence in Lawson's Potential

Despite the mounting pressure, Horner expressed confidence in Lawson's potential, emphasizing the need to provide him with the support he requires. "He’s a young guy, facing a lot of pressure from the media," Horner noted. "We know he’s capable, but circumstances haven’t allowed him to showcase his talent yet."

Other Promising Talents in Red Bull Program

The discussion turned to other promising talents in the Red Bull program, specifically Racing Bulls drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar. Both have garnered attention for their performances and may present viable options if a change were to occur. However, when asked directly if Tsunoda would be the "prime candidate" for replacement, Horner quickly deflected. "I’m not going to discuss potential changes. We're just getting started in this championship, and we need to evaluate all our options carefully," he replied.

Looking Ahead to the Japanese Grand Prix

As the countdown to the Japanese Grand Prix begins, the pressure mounts on Lawson, but his team remains committed to assisting him in overcoming these challenges. With ongoing analysis of his driving style and performance data, Red Bull hopes to see Lawson return to form and make a strong case for his role in the team. Will he rise to the occasion, or are changes on the horizon? Only time will tell as the team gears up for the next race.