Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

How RB is helping Lawson keep the Red Bull dream alive

08:31, 06 Nov

Updated: 10:12, 06 Nov

byTobia Elia

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane opened up on how the team handled Liam Lawson's tough demotion from Red Bull to Faenza at the start of the season.

“I’m well aware that our drivers’ ultimate goal is to win a world championship with Red Bull”

- Alan Permane

The New Zealand driver had earned his Red Bull promotion on merit at the end of last season, arriving on the grid with high expectations despite the daunting challenge of lining up alongside a teammate of Max Verstappen’s caliber.

Things, however, quickly didn’t go as planned. After just two races, Red Bull made the decision to demote Lawson back to Racing Bulls, replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda.

Speaking to Motorsport.it, Permane — appointed team principal following the chain of events that saw Laurent Mekies promoted to Milton Keynes — said: “When Liam returned to us after just two races, we knew there was work to be done, and I really appreciated the approach he took.”

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

The Briton is fully aware that every Red Bull junior driver dreams of becoming a world champion with the Austrian team, and he stated that at Racing Bulls they are working to give Lawson all the tools he needs to make that dream a reality.

“I’m well aware that our drivers’ ultimate goal is to win a world championship with Red Bull, and in Liam’s case, we’re working together to keep that dream within reach. Looking at his results, it took four or five races for him to find the right confidence with a car he had never driven before. On top of that, he was up against a teammate who has everything it takes to be considered the best rookie of the season.”

Finally, he added: “I believe Liam has exceptional talent; he has worked closely with his engineers and the entire team, reaching what has so far been his peak in qualifying at Baku, where he secured third place under extremely challenging wet conditions. The following day, he backed it up with an excellent fifth-place finish in the race.”

Red Bull in no rush to make a decision on 2026 line-ups

It remains unknown who will become Max Verstappen's teammate next year. The Dutchman will certainly drive the RB22 next year, having already announced his decision at this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Laurent Mekies also explained in Mexico City they are not in a rush to make a final decision.

He said: "As much as we accept that everyone would like us to decide, we are not in a rush. We will take all the time we need. Give these guys as many chances as they can have to demonstrate on track who are the best."

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