D'Arcy Waldegrave: What a week for Liam Lawson

What a week for Liam Lawson. The kiwi F1 driver has experienced the full force of a truly global sport and not in an uplifting or life affirming manner.  His disconsolate face has been peppering sports pages worldwide as his fall from Formula 1 grace has been intensely documented over 2 short weeks. His start in the infamously difficult to drive Red Bull RB21 machine (and that’s saying something - none of us could get an average F1 car into gear and moving) has captured the top end of motorsport in a way that hasn’t been seen in some time.  His elevation to the #2 Red Bull seat as teammate to modern great and 4 times consecutive world champion Max Verstappen, was questioned at the time and has now come into full focus as his start has been catastrophic. He hasn’t died, but his results have been appalling.  Extenuating circumstances considered, this is hardly surprising, but the numbers have been considerably worse than most would have expected.  He knows this. RB management know this. They have acted quickly by inserting the hot and cold, temperamental Racing Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda into the seat. Engine manufacturer Honda are believed to have sweetened the deal to the tune of millions of dollars so their man can race in their home Grand Prix in Japan at Suzuka. Many have suggested that this rapid swinging of the axe shows immense panic, even by Red Bull standards, and is an unjust reaction after such a swift promotion which has come without providing Liam with the tools he needs to succeed - time in the seat before the season began. It’s a results driven business, but even in this rarified air, Red Bull’s knee jerk reaction is a surprise. With a disgruntled Max Verstappen and the departure of their peerless designer Adrian Newey among others, this is a team creaking under desperation of their own making, with Liam being a convenient and obvious fall guy. He’ll bounce back don't worry, but after the hijinks of late last season and the current chaos, I’m not sure Red Bull will at all. The energy drink empire is going flat. Like Icarus, they're flying too close to the sun and the wax holding together their wings is melting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.