Liam Lawson Returns to Racing Bulls After Red Bull Stint
Liam Lawson’s brief, bruising, and ultimately impressive spell in Red Bull colours is over—for now.
The 24-year-old New Zealander will step back into the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls garage for this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Isack Hadjar cleared to return after a wrist injury sidelined the French‑Algerian over the summer break.
Super‑sub steps aside
Lawson was parachuted into the senior Red Bull outfit in August, a high-pressure promotion that came with little warning and even less margin for error. This time, he didn’t blink.
Across three races he banked 14 points, a sharp contrast to his previous stint with the team last season, when he was dropped after just two outings. Then, it felt like a door slamming shut. This time, it feels more like one left firmly ajar.
Red Bull confirmed Hadjar’s comeback in a statement that doubled as a nod of respect to Lawson’s contribution.
“The team would like to sincerely thank Liam for his professionalism, dedication and hard work over the past three races,” the statement read. “Stepping in under challenging circumstances, he delivered some impressive performances and made a valuable contribution to the team. We wish him all the best as he returns to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.”
The words match the evidence. Lawson didn’t just keep the seat warm; he scored, he fought, and he steadied a career that had been knocked off course in a chaotic 2025.
Back to the ‘junior’ car, not back to square one
Now he returns to Racing Bulls with something far more valuable than a temporary promotion: credibility.
"It feels great to be back in my car alongside the team as we head to Baku," Lawson said. "It has been a busy few weeks with the switch to Red Bull Racing, and I'm looking forward to getting back into the rhythm with the team and focusing on the weekend ahead."
This is not a demotion in spirit. He re‑joins Racing Bulls ninth in the drivers’ championship, consistently leading the midfield pack and turning races into points—exactly what a modern F1 operation demands from its second-tier outfit.
The numbers tell the story. Ninth overall, regular top‑10 finishes, and a clear sense that the raw speed is now matched by composure. The wild swings of 2025 have given way to something sturdier.
Mekies’ verdict: a job emphatically done
Inside the paddock, the appreciation has been clear. Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies was quick to underline Lawson’s impact after his sixth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix.
“I think he's done a very good job," Mekies said. "I think we all know how difficult it is to jump to a different team, to a different car, and I think that he has done that to the best of what could have been our expectations.
“He has taken some very important points today with the P6. He did the same in Zandvoort and in Monza he would have done something similar without the contact with Nico [Hulkenberg] and the front wing damage.
“So, I think he did a very good job, again very different pictures compared to the first two races of 2025 when he was in the team so we are thankful and happy with that.”
Those are not throwaway lines. In a system as ruthless as Red Bull’s, public praise from the boss is a currency of its own.
Baku and beyond
Now the stage shifts to the unforgiving streets of Baku, where the walls are close, the margins are thin, and opportunities tend to come dressed as chaos.
On‑track action for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix begins tomorrow, with first practice at 10.30pm (NZT). The race goes green at 11pm on Saturday.
Lawson returns to a familiar cockpit, a familiar crew, and a very different perception. He arrives not as the youngster trying to cling on, but as the stand‑in who proved he belongs. The next question is simple, and brutal in its clarity:
What more will he need to do to turn a super‑sub stint into a permanent seat at the very top?
