Reports: Red Bull shortlisting Lawson REPLACEMENTS!

By Joe Murphy

It’s one race and two separate qualifying sessions into the season. The 2025 campaign is not even one full week old. That’s why this news comes as a bit of a shock. According to several reports from the likes of ESPN, Red Bull are already drafting up potential replacements for Liam Lawson for later on in the season, should his poor form continue.

Afeer labouring to a DNF last week in Melbourne, a dead last effort in China’s Sprint Qualifying raised a few eyebrows, with critics quick to jump on Lawson.

Liam Lawson’s promotion to a full-time role with Red Bull in 2025 was highly anticipated, especially after his impressive performances as a substitute driver the previous season. Many believed he would seamlessly transition into the team and perform at a level that matched the Red Bull standard. However, Lawson’s early season results have been underwhelming. Despite showing flashes of talent, he has struggled to match the pace of his teammate, Max Verstappen, who remains the dominant figure at Red Bull.

While Verstappen’s consistent pace saw him accomplish a 2nd place podium finish last week, Lawson was notably slower. Verstappen has cemented his position as the team’s leader, whilst Lawson has found himself battling towards the back so far. Crucially, he is currently unable to extract the performance expected of him in a car that is one of the most competitive on the grid. Some of his performances have been criticised for a lack of consistency and race craft, raising doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level in Formula 1.

Red Bull Racing has a history of fostering talented young drivers, but they are also known for their ruthlessness when it comes to performance. With their sights set on continuing their dominance in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, Red Bull cannot afford to carry any dead weight. If Lawson continues to underperform, it is not out of the question that the team may seek an alternative driver for 2026 or even earlier.

Several names have been suggested as potential replacements for the New Zealand driver. Among these, two prominent candidates stand out.

4 Potential Replacements (rumoured to be on the shortlist):

1. Daniel Ricciardo: One name that has been frequently linked with a return to Red Bull is Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian driver, who previously had a successful stint with the team, rejoined in 2024 after leaving McLaren. His experience, combined with his strong performances as a substitute driver for Lawson in 2024, makes him a potential candidate for a full-time role. Ricciardo’s adaptability and racecraft could be valuable assets for Red Bull as they aim to remain at the top of the F1 standings.
2. Pierre Gasly: Another driver whose name has been brought up is Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman was part of Red Bull Racing in the 2018 season before being demoted to Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri). Since then, Gasly has had a solid run with Alpine, regularly outperforming his teammates and earning respect across the paddock. A potential return to Red Bull could offer Gasly the chance to finally showcase his talents in a front-running car, especially given his familiarity with the team and its operations.
3. Yuki Tsunoda: Yuki Tsunoda’s future at AlphaTauri has often been a topic of discussion. If Red Bull sees promise in the Japanese driver’s development, he could be given the opportunity to step up to the main team. Tsunoda has shown glimpses of his potential, but he needs to demonstrate consistency and progress in 2025 if he is to be considered for such a significant move.
4. An External Candidate: Another possibility is the recruitment of an external driver who could be an unexpected challenger for Lawson’s seat. With the ever-growing talent pool in Formula 2, Red Bull may look to the junior categories for a fresh face. Drivers like Theo Pourchaire, who has shown great promise in F2, could be a potential option if Lawson’s performance continues to falter.

For any of these candidates to take the seat from Lawson, it would not just be about outperforming him on track, but about showing an ability to work well within the Red Bull system. The team values consistency, reliability, and the ability to develop the car to its fullest potential. If Lawson cannot deliver on these fronts, the pressure will mount for Red Bull to make a change.

However, Red Bull has also been known to give drivers time to settle in, especially if they show potential. Lawson, at just 22 years old, still has time on his side to prove himself. The team might choose to continue backing him if they believe he has the ability to turn things around.

Of course, the question of whether Liam Lawson will remain at Red Bull for the remainder of 2025 or beyond is still up in the air. The team is known for its high standards, and while the season has not started as Lawson would have hoped, he is still young and has room to grow. However, with a number of highly talented drivers waiting in the wings, Red Bull may be forced to make a decision sooner rather than later if Lawson’s performances do not improve.

The pressure is on the young New Zealander to show that he has what it takes to thrive in Formula 1. If he does not, Red Bull may look elsewhere, but for now, the spotlight is squarely on Lawson to prove his worth in one of the fastest cars on the grid.