In a shocking turn of events in the Formula 1 world, Helmut Marko, Red Bull's motorsport advisor, has acknowledged that the team "made a mistake" regarding their recent decision to downgrade Liam Lawson. The talented New Zealander, who began the season as a teammate to reigning champion Max Verstappen, found himself reassigned to Red Bull's junior team, the Racing Bulls, after a series of underwhelming performances.

At just 23 years old, Lawson's journey in F1 has taken a hit following what Marko described as a decline in self-confidence that hampered his ability to perform at his best. After qualifying 18th at the Australian Grand Prix and crashing out early, Lawson's struggles continued in China, where he qualified last in both the sprint and grand prix races, finishing 14th and 12th, respectively.

Despite the disappointment, Lawson expressed his gratitude on Instagram, emphasizing that driving for Red Bull has been his lifelong dream. He thanked fans for their unwavering support, stating that he looks forward to the opportunity to rebuild his career with the Racing Bulls.

Marko believes that Yuki Tsunoda, who is stepping into Lawson's former role, has shown significant improvement, stating, “Tsunoda has made a big step. He’s more confident and has displayed strong performances this season.

The Austrian confirmed that Tsunoda will have until the end of the season to prove himself, following reassessments of Lawson's ability to regain confidence in the high-pressure F1 environment.

Interestingly, Marko reinforced that the decision to demote Lawson was not a reflection of his talent, claiming that the switch is not a punishment but rather a strategic move to bolster the team's performance in the constructors’ championship. “He’s not kicked out of F1,” Marko noted. “He’ll have a chance to recover with Racing Bulls, which is capable of top performances.”

Highlighting past instances where drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon faced similar setbacks, Marko pointed out that many have successfully returned to competitive form after a stint away from the main team. “Liam is expected to grow from this experience,” he said, alluding to the potential for a strong comeback.

As Red Bull aims to secure another championship title with Verstappen, Marko admitted that the team is fully aware of the pressure to deliver a competitive car. He revealed that Verstappen’s performance clauses are a concern, indicating that if the team fails to provide a winning car, the Dutch driver might contemplate his future with Red Bull.

Turning to future improvements, Marko mentioned a productive meeting between Verstappen and the engineering team to address performance issues. Despite the early season struggles, he insists that the team remains focused on reclaiming the championship title. “We are just eight points behind,” he concluded, emphasizing a renewed commitment to achieve greatness this season.

In a side note, Verstappen seemed to subtly comment on Lawson's situation by endorsing a social media post that labeled the demotion a “panic move,” suggesting that there are mixed feelings within the team regarding the decision.

The racing community will be watching closely as Lawson begins his new chapter with Racing Bulls, hoping to harness his potential and secure a swift return to the big leagues.