IndyCar’s Scott McLaughlin comments on "irrational" Liam Lawson exit

IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin has reacted to the news that Red Bull has decided to replace Liam Lawson after the first two Grands Prix of the 2025 Formula 1 season. McLaughlin has branded the decision as "ruthless/irrational."

Red Bull announced this morning that team leaders had made the unified decision to replace Lawson with Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda starting from the Japanese Grand Prix. As the Japanese driver steps up for his home race, Lawson will move to Racing Bulls to drive alongside fellow rookie Isack Hadjar.

The decision has already garnered significant reactions from people within the sport, and now, fellow New Zealander McLaughlin has shared his take on the matter:

"Here’s a take that you didn’t ask for. 2 tracks they gave Liam in that car, that he hadn’t been to before. Finally heads to Suzuka where perhaps he knows that track more than most on the calendar due to racing in Japan etc. But get’s [sic] axed before it.

"It’s a cruel sport, but I really don’t think he was given a fair shot IMO. Ok.. if he goes bad at Suzuka, I get the change up. But give the kid a chance if you are going to throw him in the deep end against a 4x world champ to begin with, why even give him the shot in the first place if you aren’t going to ride the wave?

"Nothing against Yuki and I think he’s a shoe, but the Red Bull game is ruthless/irrational. I look forward to the next instalment of this broken system."

Lawson is yet to comment on the move but will face the media in Suzuka. Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has however broken his silence on Lawson returning to the team, stating:

Liam Lawson, RB F1 Team

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“Everyone here at VCARB is looking forward to working hard with Liam to give him the best environment possible for him to shine in our car and to express the talent we all know he has. He fit in so well last year, and we cannot wait to challenge ourselves and grow as a team. With Isack having started so strongly with us already, we know we have a young and strong line-up.”

The Japanese Grand Prix will start next week, 4-6 April.