‘I wouldn’t be surprised’: Liam Lawson fired stern warning

Red Bull’s junior pipeline is famed for both creating champions and discarding prospects.



In 2025 two stories epitomise that double-edged sword – Liam Lawson’s fight for survival and Arvid Lindblad’s meteoric ascent.



Red Bull’s Ruthless Driver Ladder



The organisation does not hesitate to shuffle seats mid-season.



Lawson began the year as an emergency stand-in at Red Bull Racing, but after two races he was bundled back to Racing Bulls.



Since then, he has failed to score, while fellow academy graduate Isack Hadjar has banked five valuable points.



Lessons from Lawson’s Short-Lived Promotion



Juan Pablo Montoya believes Lawson’s confidence was rattled by the speed of that demotion.



“Honestly, Liam has been given the green light last year and has proven that he has what it takes to do a good job.



“They gave him the Red Bull seat, and he won it.”



“The Red Bull situation was complicated and I think it took a very strong blow to his liver, and he needs a lot of psychological treatment after that.”



Montoya warns that another reshuffle is possible.



“I’ll tell you the truth.



“If Liam doesn’t improve any further, I wouldn’t be surprised if they put Lindblad in at some point.



“Not at all.



“I wouldn’t be a little surprised.”



Lindblad: The 17-Year-Old Sensation



While Lawson battles nerves and car balance, 17-year-old Lindblad is lighting up the junior ranks.



Helmut Marko’s praise has only heightened expectations.



“We are not looking for a new Max, we are looking for a new champion and I think the next one which looks really promising is Arvid Lindblad.”



Marko argues that Lindblad will receive the test mileage previous hopefuls lacked.



“I think in the past, if I compare with Jack Doohan, or with Oscar Piastri, or also with Oliver Bearman, they had a lot of tests in the two-year-old version Formula 1 car.



For example, Liam Lawson didn’t have this opportunity, and also Isack Hadjar, to a certain amount, didn’t have this opportunity.



And this we will change for Arvid that he, if he makes a very good season in Formula 2, that he can go with good experience into Formula 1 in 2026.



Maybe.”



Seat Security Hinges on Performance



Red Bull’s model leaves little room for sympathy.



“It’s Red Bull, it’s a bit like what’s happening with Alpine right now.



Whenever Franco Colapinto doesn’t do well, the same thing will happen,” Montoya observed.



With Lawson still searching for his first 2025 point, chatter about a summer switch is intensifying.



What Comes Next?



Lawson must deliver consistent Q3 appearances and capitalize on chaotic races to stay ahead of the axe.



Even then, Lindblad’s trajectory suggests an F1 debut is a question of “when,” not “if.”



For fans of driver drama, the remainder of 2025 promises compelling theatre; for Lawson, it may decide whether his Red Bull chapter ends in redemption or replacement.
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