FIA announce Red Bull F1 star penalty verdict after…..read more
Liam Lawson, a rising talent within the Red Bull driver program, has received an official reprimand from the FIA following an incident that took place during the practice sessions for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The decision comes after Lawson failed to comply with directives issued by the race director during the first free practice (FP1) session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Lawson, who began the 2025 Formula 1 season racing with Red Bull Racing, has since been reassigned to their sister outfit, Racing Bulls. This move came after just two race weekends, marking a swift reshuffle within the Red Bull driver lineup. Despite showing promise, the team decided to make a change, promoting Yuki Tsunoda back into a seat with the main Red Bull team. Lawson, consequently, found himself partnering with fellow junior driver Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls.
The 2025 season has so far proven to be a challenging one for Lawson. He has yet to secure any championship points in the opening rounds of the year, though his performance has shown signs of gradual improvement. With each race, he appears to be regaining his confidence and adapting to the dynamics of a competitive Formula 1 environment, despite the setback of his early demotion. Working alongside Hadjar, Lawson has focused on consistent performance and development, aiming to prove his worth and perhaps earn another shot with a top team.
However, his campaign faced a minor setback in Jeddah. The FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, reviewed footage and data from the practice session and determined that Lawson did not adhere to specific instructions issued by the race director. Though the infraction did not result in a major incident or pose a significant danger, the FIA has a strict policy on following procedural directives during Grand Prix weekends. As a result, the stewards have issued Lawson a formal reprimand.
While a reprimand is one of the lighter forms of disciplinary action available to the FIA, it still serves as an official mark against the driver. Reprimands can accumulate throughout a season, and multiple infractions can lead to more severe penalties, including grid drops. It is a reminder to all drivers, particularly the younger ones in development programs like Red Bull’s, that procedural discipline is just as crucial as performance on the track.
Red Bull has not made an official comment on the incident or the resulting punishment. However, it’s likely that Lawson and the Racing Bulls team will treat this as a learning experience. Such moments are common in the development arcs of young drivers, and the Red Bull program is known for placing high expectations on its juniors, often demanding both strong results and professional conduct.
As the season continues, Lawson will be aiming to move past this minor disciplinary issue and continue focusing on his performance. With several races left in the calendar, he still has ample opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities and potentially work his way back into consideration for a main team seat. The reprimand, while a blemish, may also serve as a motivation for Lawson to sharpen his approach in upcoming race weekends.
