Lawson Surprised But Not Deterred

Kiwi is determined to push on at Racing Bulls despite hasty demotion from Red Bull

- SUZUKA

SUZUKA - Liam Lawson said he was surprised at being demoted by the Red Bull team after only two races of the new season but remained determined to make his mark in Formula One with the junior Racing Bulls team.

The 23-year-old New Zealander was appointed world champion Max Verstappen's teammate for this season with only 11 races as a stand-in, but was last week shunted back to the Racing Bulls team and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

Lawson, who qualified 18th and failed to finish in Australia before qualifying last for the sprint and race in China, said he had no idea the axe would fall so soon and left Shanghai ready to prepare for the third round of the season in Japan.

"I had a phone call, basically saying that this was what was going to happen," he told reporters at Suzuka on April 3.

"It was something I wasn't expecting so early. It's something that obviously is not my decision and for me, it's about making the most of obviously this opportunity now and still being in Formula One, I still have that."