The world of Formula 1 is no stranger to drama, but Red Bull’s recent decision to swap Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson has ignited a firestorm of criticism. Will Buxton, the new IndyCar play-by-play announcer and former F1TV analyst, has emerged as a vocal critic, condemning Red Bull’s treatment of Lawson as a “new low.”

At the start of the 2025 season, Red Bull brought in Kiwi driver Liam Lawson to partner with Max Verstappen, following Sergio Perez’s departure. However, after what the team deemed “subpar” performances in the first two races, rumors began to circulate about Lawson’s potential replacement. Red Bull confirmed on March 27th that Tsunoda and Lawson would be swapping seats for the remainder of the season.

Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, justified the decision by stating a “duty of care” to protect and develop Lawson. He suggested that moving Lawson to the Visa Cash App RB team, where he is familiar with the environment, would allow him to gain valuable experience. However, this rationale has not been well-received by everyone.

Will Buxton didn’t mince words in his reaction to the driver swap. In a tweet, he blasted Red Bull’s “duty of care” claim as “laughable.” Buxton argued that the team should either fully support a driver they’ve signed or not sign them at all. He criticized Red Bull’s history of being “fast and loose” with driver careers and labeled the decision to drop Lawson after just two races as “insane.”

Lawson’s brief stint with Red Bull was marked by challenges. He crashed out at the Australian Grand Prix and finished P16 at the Chinese Grand Prix after a poor qualifying session. These results likely contributed to Red Bull’s decision to make a change.

Interestingly, Buxton, who recently transitioned to IndyCar, has also drawn parallels between F1 and IndyCar drivers. He compared Max Verstappen to Alex Palou, highlighting their youth, championship titles, and “unstoppable” nature. This comparison raises questions about how drivers from different series might perform in different environments.

Marshall Pruett, an IndyCar reporter, has raised questions about how Alex Palou would perform as Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull. Pruett noted that Lawson has more F1 experience than Palou and suggested that the Spanish driver might face even greater challenges.

Red Bull’s driver swap has sparked a heated debate about driver development, team loyalty, and the pressures of performing in Formula 1. Will Buxton’s sharp criticism has amplified the controversy, leaving many to question the long-term implications of Red Bull’s decision. As the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Lawson adapts to his new role and whether Red Bull’s gamble pays off.