Red Bull has announced a surprising driver change, replacing Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. This decision has raised several questions about the team`s motivations and the future for both drivers.
Why the Driver Swap Now?
Red Bull states that this `driver rotation` is purely a sporting decision aimed at boosting their chances in the constructors` championship race against McLaren. Team principal Christian Horner emphasized a `duty of care` to Lawson, suggesting the move is intended to support his development after challenging races in the RB21 car.
However, the timing and nature of the swap are seen by many as harsh for Lawson. Despite Red Bull`s explanations, it`s undeniable that Lawson`s performance in his recent races was significantly below expectations for a Red Bull driver.
Lawson`s qualifying performances were notably poor, consistently placing at the back of the grid. His race results included a retirement due to a crash in the Australian GP, followed by 14th and 12th place finishes in the China Sprint and Grand Prix, respectively. These are the worst qualifying results for a Red Bull driver in the team`s history.
In contrast, Max Verstappen, driving the same RB21 car, consistently qualified in the top two rows and achieved second, third, and fourth-place finishes in the same races.
Why Wasn`t Lawson Given More Time?
A key question is why Red Bull didn`t allow Lawson more time to improve, especially considering Verstappen`s acknowledgment that the RB21 is a challenging car. Red Bull themselves admitted the need for further development of the car.
While Red Bull has a history of mid-season driver changes, Lawson`s demotion so early in the season is unusual. Craig Slater from Sky Sports News suggested that removing Lawson from the immediate pressure might be beneficial in the long run, as he seemed `frazzled` and `at a loss` during his initial races.
Lawson`s limited experience with the team and the tracks, combined with the pressure of driving for Red Bull, may have contributed to his struggles. He had only 11 previous Grand Prix starts with the junior team and had never raced at the Australian or Chinese circuits before.
Interestingly, Suzuka, the venue for the Japanese GP, is a track where Lawson has prior experience from racing in Japan`s Super Formula in 2023 and even outperforming Tsunoda in the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix.
Liam Lawson`s Red Bull Results
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| Australian GP Qualifying | 18th |
| Australian GP | DNF |
| Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying | 20th |
| Chinese GP Sprint | 14th |
| Chinese GP Qualifying | 20th |
| Chinese GP | 12th |
Why Lawson Was Initially Chosen Over Tsunoda?
Red Bull`s decision to promote Lawson over Tsunoda at the end of last year was somewhat surprising to outside observers. While it was expected that Sergio Perez might be replaced, many anticipated Tsunoda, with his greater experience, to be the more likely candidate.
Lawson`s previous F1 experience came as a substitute for the injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, where he showed promise and scored points. Although Tsunoda outperformed Lawson in the latter part of 2024, Red Bull may have seen Lawson as having the stronger mentality to partner Verstappen.
Why Tsunoda Now?
If Tsunoda is now deemed ready for the Red Bull seat, questions arise about why he wasn`t considered earlier. Is this change solely due to Lawson`s difficulties, or has Tsunoda`s improved performance this season changed Red Bull`s perception of him?
Tsunoda`s strong start to the season, with consistent top-ten qualifying and race results, may have played a role. Helmut Marko has noted that Tsunoda is performing at a higher level than in previous years. His existing relationship with Honda, despite their future move to Aston Martin, might also be a factor.
Horner suggested that Tsunoda`s experience would be valuable in developing the current car, implying that his feedback might be better suited to address the RB21`s issues.
What If Tsunoda Doesn`t Perform Better?
The pressure is now on Tsunoda to perform. Unlike Lawson, he won`t have pre-season testing experience in the Red Bull car and will be immediately thrown into action at his home race in Suzuka. However, he will have simulator time to prepare.
Despite his greater F1 experience, Tsunoda is less familiar with the main Red Bull team compared to Lawson, who has been a reserve driver for several years. Lawson has also had more experience driving Red Bull cars in tests.
Verstappen`s Perspective
Max Verstappen`s opinion on this driver swap is also a point of interest. While Verstappen has not publicly commented directly, his social media activity, liking a post critical of Red Bull`s decision and supportive of Lawson, suggests he might have reservations.
Verstappen has previously shown support for Lawson, noting the difficulty of the Red Bull car and suggesting Lawson would perform better in a different car. He has also cryptically acknowledged the strong performance of Red Bull`s junior team, potentially hinting at issues with the senior team`s car.
Why Not Sign a More Experienced Driver?
Red Bull did have the option of signing a more experienced driver, Sergio Perez, but his performance declined significantly after his contract renewal, leading to this situation. They chose Perez over Carlos Sainz, a former junior driver, and their plan to use Ricciardo as an experienced backup also didn`t pan out as expected.
Why Do Verstappen`s Teammates Struggle?
Tsunoda will be Verstappen`s sixth teammate in ten seasons, highlighting the challenges faced by drivers partnering with Verstappen at Red Bull. Previous teammates like Gasly and Albon also struggled, leading to their early departures.
While Perez initially performed well, he also faced difficulties as the car`s characteristics evolved. Lawson found the RB21 equally challenging, lacking the confidence needed to extract performance from the car.
Is the Red Bull Car Designed Only for Verstappen?
While it`s a common question, it`s likely an oversimplification to say the car is designed solely for Verstappen. Red Bull, like all teams, aims to create the fastest car possible. However, Verstappen`s driving style and preferences for a sharp front-end car might influence the car`s development direction, potentially making it less suitable for other drivers.
Horner acknowledged that Verstappen prefers a car with a strong front end, which might be a challenging characteristic for other drivers to adapt to.
