Liam Lawson has revealed he was taken aback by Red Bull's decision to axe him after just two races of the Formula One season. The New Zealander had been ushered in as Sergio Perez's replacement but has since been demoted back to Red Bull's second constructor, Racing Bulls.

Lawson failed to complete the weather-affected season opener in Australia before registering a 12th-place finish during last month's Chinese Grand Prix. Despite having raced just twice for the constructor, they decided to cut their losses and promote Yuki Tsunoda into the second Red Bull seat instead.

Speaking in his first interview since being culled, Lawson admitted to Sky Sports he wasn't expecting the decision based on the talks they were having. He said: "It was definitely a shock, honestly. It's not something that I saw coming. The discussions we were having as well, I think, weren't really leaning in this direction, so it was definitely not something that I sort of expected."

When asked if he felt like he'd have improved with more time, Lawson replied: "Honestly, yes. Obviously, I would have loved more time. And I felt like with more time, especially going to places that I'd been before… it was a tough start. We had a rocky testing. We had a rocky first weekend in Melbourne with practice. And then obviously China was a Sprint.

"I think going to places that I'd been before with the way the car was quite tricky, I think that would have helped and I would have loved that opportunity. But obviously, it's not my decision, so I'm here to make the most of this one."

The decision to dump Lawson is one that has been widely criticised by Formula One fans, pundits and even drivers alike. But, Red Bull head honcho Christian Horner has doubled down on the move, insisting it was the right thing to do. Speaking to Sky Sports also, he said: "Of course, it's horrible because you're taking away someone's dreams and aspirations, but sometimes you've got to be cruel to be kind, and I think that in this instance, this is not the end for Liam.

"I was very clear with him, is that it's a sample of two races. I think that we've asked too much of you too soon. We have to accept, 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."

All eyes will be on Lawson this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix, as he returns to Racing Bulls for race three of the 2025 season.