Liam Lawson has officially been demoted from the Red Bull Formula One team.  

He lasted two Grands Prix before management decided to replace him with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda for his home event next weekend at Suzuka.  

The switch confirms widespread speculation of a new partner for defending champion Max Verstappen. 

F1 Journalist Thomas Maher told Andrew Dickens that this is a risk for Red Bull, as if Lawson does well in the Racing Bulls car, the blame for his struggles in the big leagues will fall back onto the car. 

He says Yuki Tsunoda is a known quantity when it comes to racing, so answers about whether the car is to blame will be gained very quickly.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Liam Lawson has officially been demoted from the Red Bull Formula One team. &nbsp;
He lasted two Grands Prix before management decided to replace him with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda for his home event next weekend at Suzuka. &nbsp;
The switch confirms widespread speculation of a new partner for defending champion Max Verstappen.&nbsp;
F1 Journalist Thomas Maher told Andrew Dickens that this is a risk for Red Bull, as if Lawson does well in the Racing Bulls car, the blame for his struggles in the big leagues will fall back onto the car.&nbsp;
He says Yuki Tsunoda is a known quantity when it comes to racing, so answers about whether the car is to blame will be gained very quickly. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Thomas Maher: Formula 1 Journalist on Liam Lawson's demotion from Red Bull Racing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c6be8ca5-0bbe-4c04-a9c8-b2ad01602618/transcript

New Zealand's netball ecosystem is breathing a sigh of relief after confirmation of a privatised domestic league for next season and beyond. 

Rich-lister couple Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams are set to take the licence for the competition and its teams via an initial agreement with the sport's national body. 

Former Silver Fern Marg Foster told Ryan Bridge this is a really good thing, but they can't just rely on philanthropy.  

She says there's a lot of things they'll need to be able to get out of this deal, such as making it commercially attractive so investors can get a genuine return. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

New Zealand's netball ecosystem is breathing a sigh of relief after confirmation of a privatised domestic league for next season and beyond.&nbsp;
Rich-lister couple Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams are set to take the licence for the competition and its teams via an initial agreement with the sport's national body.&nbsp;
Former Silver Fern Marg Foster told Ryan Bridge this is a really good thing, but they can't just rely on philanthropy. &nbsp;
She says there's a lot of things they'll need to be able to get out of this deal, such as making it commercially attractive so investors can get a genuine return.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Marg Foster: Former Silver Fern on the confirmation of a privatised domestic netball competition

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/53c10673-c46b-4783-bb80-b4b80188d22b/transcript

Another OCR hike is widely expected today and the Reserve Bank could signal more are coming. 

It announces its decision at 2pm, with the Official Cash Rate expected to rise from 2.5%. 

Economists are picking one or two further hikes. 

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge the Reserve Bank's view has shifted sharply since the start of the year. 

He says they're pretty locked in for 3% between now and Christmas. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

Another OCR hike is widely expected today and the Reserve Bank could signal more are coming.&nbsp;
It announces its decision at 2pm, with the Official Cash Rate expected to rise from 2.5%.&nbsp;
Economists are picking one or two further hikes.&nbsp;
Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge the Reserve Bank's view has shifted sharply since the start of the year.&nbsp;
He says they're pretty locked in for 3% between now and Christmas.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Kelly Eckhold: Westpac Chief Economist on the expectation the Official Cash Rate will be hiked

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5f2fceb3-ba04-48e5-bbc9-b4b80188ba87/transcript

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 2nd of September 2026 another OCR hike is looking likely from the Reserve Bank, Westpac chief Economist Kelly Eckhold tells Ryan what we can expect.

New Zealand and America are teaming up to build a port for the Cook Islands; international relations professor Robert Patman shares his thoughts.

Netball New Zealand have made the decision to privatise the domestic league; former Silver Fern Marg Foster reacts to the news.

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on laundry rooms being turned into prison cells to combat overcrowding in UK jails and an investigation underway after a man died near Notting Hill Carnival in London following a police pursuit. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Wednesday 2nd of September 2026 another OCR hike is looking likely from the Reserve Bank, Westpac chief Economist Kelly Eckhold tells Ryan what we can expect.
New Zealand and America are teaming up to build a port for the Cook Islands; international relations professor Robert Patman shares his thoughts.
Netball New Zealand have made the decision to privatise the domestic league; former Silver Fern Marg Foster reacts to the news.
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on laundry rooms being turned into prison cells to combat overcrowding in UK jails and an investigation underway after a man died near Notting Hill Carnival in London following a police pursuit.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 02 September 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c02347d2-7e53-4d2f-800f-b4b801513e23/transcript

Thomas Maher: Formula 1 Journalist on Liam Lawson's demotion from Red Bull Racing

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