described 's decision to drop after just two Grand Prix weekends as 'pretty harsh', but confessed that he 'was not surprised' by their call, given their track record of driver management. Lawson was promoted to Red Bull with just 11 Grands Prix under his belt, having lost six-nil to Yuki Tsunoda in the qualifying head-to-head at VCARB in 2024.

The New Zealander entered the campaign with confidence, but this evaporated in Melbourne, and he failed to score points or exit Q1 in each of the first two race weekends. Despite making pre-season promises to afford him time to grow, Red Bull reacted by dropping the 23-year-old, with Yuki Tsunoda now set to make his debut for the Milton Keynes squad at his home race in Japan.

Speaking out on the controversial decision, Hamilton said: "I am not surprised to see [it from] them. I don't really have any views on it. Both are great drivers. I think we have got a lot of really great drivers here, particularly young, talented drivers.

"I think there's naturally a lot of pressure on youngsters coming in. There is no way you can fully get on top of a car which is known to not be the easiest car to drive. Just to give him two races is pretty harsh."

Hamilton wasn't the only driver unsurprised by Christian Horner's brutal swap. Former Toro Rosso racer Carlos Sainz expressed a similar reaction to the seven-time world champion when asked about Lawson's fate.

"No, I just think it's nothing new," he said. "It's just the Red Bull and the way things are handled in Red Bull, and the way things go in Red Bull. We've seen it the last 10 years in Formula One, or since I'm in F1 that that's the way things are done there.

"One day you get the chance. The next day, if you don't do exactly the way you're expected to do, you get the upgrade or the downgrade, you know, and that's the way things are at Red Bull. So, yeah, no news for me."

MORE TO FOLLOW

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit: . Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @‌dexpress_sport - the official Daily Express & Twitter account - providing real news in real time.

We're also on Facebook @‌dailyexpresssport - offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and .