Liam Lawson’s tough start to the 2025 season continues. The Red Bull driver faced another setback in Shanghai, as he was unable to make it out of SQ1 during Sprint Qualifying, finishing in P20. This marked his second consecutive early exit in QUALY, adding to the pressure surrounding his position in the team.

Lawson couldn’t find his rhythm throughout the session, failing to deliver a clean flying lap before the chequered flag dropped. Frustration was evident over the team radio as he crossed the line, admitting:
“Mate, I’m really sorry, but I just… I honestly could not get the tyres down.”

While his teammates, Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar, found enough pace to make it into SQ2, Lawson’s struggles left him stranded at the bottom of the timesheets. The Shanghai International Circuit proved challenging, and Lawson’s difficulty adapting to the RB21 remains apparent.

This result raises questions about Lawson’s ability to adapt to the car and whether the pressure is mounting as he fights for his full-time seat at Red Bull. With high expectations and every session critical, the 23-year-old needs to bounce back quickly.

What should have been a chance for redemption after a difficult Australian Sprint Qualifying only added more weight to Lawson’s tough season. His potential is clear, but converting that into strong results in Formula 1’s high-stakes environment remains an uphill battle.

All eyes will be on Lawson during Sunday’s race, where he’ll need a solid performance to make up for his disappointing Sprint Qualifying. In a midfield battle that’s tighter than ever, every position counts — and Lawson knows time is running out to prove himself