Lawson ‘wasn’t the same’ after Red Bull demotion – Permane

Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane has opened up about Liam Lawson's mental recovery following his difficult stint at Red Bull early in the 2025 season. After a challenging start, which saw him demoted back to Racing Bulls, Permane noted that Lawson was clearly struggling with his confidence. Permane explained that the team focused on supporting Lawson, helping him regain his focus through hard work in the simulator and improved collaboration with his engineering team. By shutting out external pressures, Lawson has successfully turned his performance around, showing significant growth in his technical feedback and overall car control this season. Now paired with rookie Arvid Lindblad, Lawson has emerged as the lead driver for Racing Bulls, contributing significantly to the team's tight midfield fight against Alpine. Permane highlighted that Lawson's ability to adapt his driving style to the car's needs—rather than adhering to a rigid, personal style—is a sign of his maturation, comparing his approach to that of world champions like Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso.