Now, the New Zealander is being replaced by the Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda.
The 23-year-old Lawson, who has not yet completed a full Formula 1 season, has had a tough start to the season. He crashed in the premiere in Melbourne and finished 14th and 12th in Shanghai's two races (the first being a sprint).
"It has been difficult to see Liam's problems in the first races, and therefore we have jointly decided to make an early change", says team manager Christian Horner to F1's website.
Tsunoda is being promoted from Red Bull's second team, Racing Bulls, and will drive his first race on home soil in the Japanese GP next week, alongside Max Verstappen. Lawson will take Tsunoda's place in Racing Bulls, where newcomer Isack Hadjar also drives.
