Jack Doohan has shown sympathy for Liam Lawson following his Red Bull demotion, but expects the New Zealander to be a bigger “threat” at Racing Bulls.
It was announced last Thursday that Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda would swap seats from this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, marking Red Bull’s fastest-ever driver change.
Doohan had been the full-time rookie many expected to be replaced first, following Alpine’s signing of Franco Colapinto as its reserve and third driver.
However, the Australian has shown signs of improvement, despite collecting four penalty points across the recent event in China.
He recognises Lawson’s Red Bull exit makes for uneasy viewing, but tips the driver to be stronger at the sister team based on the known difficulties with the RB21.
“To be honest, it’s difficult to see,” Doohan told select media including RacingNews365. “I feel for him, but he’s still in Formula 1.
“I had rumours I wasn’t even going to drive before I drove. I think, he’s an extremely, extremely talented driver.
“And for one reason or another, had a very hard time, but again, only two races, so it’s a shame. But I think, to be honest, he’s going to be more of a threat at Racing Bulls than he potentially was at Red Bull.”
Red Bull insisted that Lawson’s return to Racing Bulls was due to the team requiring Tsunoda’s experience to improve its car.
Despite this, the 23-year-old’s performances this year have not been good, having been eliminated in the first part of all qualifying sessions this season in any format.
Lawson is also yet to score a point, with Doohan noting that the team’s depend on the drivers to deliver results.
“Yeah, it’s a cutthroat sport, and especially in that situation, I don’t want to comment too much on it, in a top team especially, but yeah, this is Formula 1,” added Doohan.
“It’s a business, they rely on performances and results. He was in a very, very tricky situation, and we know how tough that Red Bull is to drive, so I won’t be coming any further.”
