Thursday brought confirmation of the unprecedented news that Liam Lawson would be dropped from Red Bull and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after just two races.
The team, with a history of midseason switches, moved Lawson to Racing Bulls, their B team, while Tsunoda was added to Red Bull's lineup next to four-time champion Max Verstappen. Lawson netted zero points and qualified no greater than third-to-last in three tries.
With the awkwardness of the news and the fact it was a step up for another driver on grid, there wasn't a ton of commentary from active F1 driver.
Here's how the racing world reacted to the massive switch.
Red Bull
Liam Lawson
In what can only be seen as a sad post, Lawson talked about achieving his "dream" by racing for Red Bull.
Yuki Tsunoda
Tsunoda kept it short in his first comments ahead of his homecoming and Red Bull debut next week.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner
The controversial Christian Horner added that "We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly."
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko
The outspoken advisor for Red Bull told Austrian outlet OE24, "...under the increased pressure, [Lawson] couldn't deliver, right from the first day in Australia. Then he went into a downward spiral. It's like a battered boxer; it's very difficult to get out of it. In that sense, it was a mistake."
Jos Verstappen
"I really hope you gone do a fantastic job. He deserves to be in F1 💪💪💪👍"Jos Verstappen on Lawson's post
Max Verstappen's often outspoken father provided a hopeful message for his son's ex-teammate.
Pierre Gasly (on Tsunoda's Instagram)
"Looking sharp"Pierre Gasly on Instagram
Gasly's former teammate and close friend was excited to see Tsunoda put on the suit that he once wore.
Isack Hadjar
Isuki, short and sweet 🤗 @yukitsunoda07 @Isack_Hadjar pic.twitter.com/QecOiub5PC
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) March 28, 2025
Hadjar only had two races alongside Tsunoda, but the duo seemed to gel well.
Scott McLaughlin
Here’s a take that you didn’t ask for. 2 tracks they gave Liam in that car, that he hadn’t been to before. Finally heads to Suzuka where perhaps he knows that track more than most on the calendar due to racing in Japan etc. But get’s axed before it. It’s a cruel sport, but I…
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) March 27, 2025
The fellow Kiwi, three-time Supercars champ and current IndyCar driver is of the opinion that the demotion wasn't fair.
Shane van Gisbergen (on Instagram)
"Prove em wrong"Shane van Gisbergen on Lawson's IG post
Another driver 3-time Supercars champ and New Zealand native offered his take, this time it was NASCAR driver Shane van Gisbergen, commenting on Lawson's Instagram.
Will Buxton
Red Bull’s talk of their “duty of care” is laughable. You either believe in the driver you’ve signed and give them support or you don’t. They’ve played fast and loose with driver careers for decades but this is a new low. 2 races is insane. Good luck Yuki. You’re gonna need it.
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) March 27, 2025
The former F1 presenter joined in the chorus of disbelief in Red Bull's decision.
Martin Brundle
Red Bull uniquely has a junior team on the grid so it’s doubly confusing they are in such a mess with drivers. And their only driver they desperately need appears to be casting around for the future. Liam Lawson’s reputation is temporarily trashed and he has nothing to lose now.…
— Martin Brundle OBE (@MBrundleF1) March 28, 2025
The longtime commentator can't understand why Red Bull can't get their lineup right with four seats at their disposal.
Former Caterham F1 driver, Dutch TV presenter Giedo van der Garde
The Dutch driver says Red Bull crushed Lawson's spirit and encouragee him to "prove them wrong."
Former Red Bull F1 driver Robert Doornbos
Doornbos stepped in to finish the season's final three races at Red Bull in 2006 ... meaning he was at the team for one more race than Lawson.
The Dutch driver said Lawson is "fast and talented" but also hit him with an excruciating joke about his short tenure at the team.