Red Bull Racing has once again reminded the Formula 1 world of its brutal decision-making process with the impending swap of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The move, coming just two races into the 2025 season, raises multiple questions: Why now? Why was Tsunoda overlooked initially? And why do Red Bull’s second drivers struggle so much next to Max Verstappen?
A Brutal Decision for Lawson
Liam Lawson’s rapid rise to a Red Bull seat after a strong 2024 reserve campaign has come to an abrupt halt. His performances in the first two races of the season were underwhelming, with qualifying results of 18th, 20th, and 20th—the worst stretch for a Red Bull driver in 20 years. In races, he crashed out in Australia, finished 14th in the China Sprint, and managed only 12th in the Chinese GP despite several disqualifications ahead of him. Meanwhile, Verstappen secured podiums and remained in the championship hunt, exposing the vast performance gap between teammates.
Why Now?
Red Bull has a history of ruthless mid-season driver swaps—Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon both experienced similar fates. However, this decision comes shockingly early in the season. The timing suggests Red Bull had little faith in Lawson’s ability to recover quickly and feared that his struggles would further harm their Constructors’ Championship hopes, where they already trail McLaren by 42 points.
The move also raises eyebrows over why Tsunoda was not initially given the seat. With ample experience and home-race support in Japan, Tsunoda’s familiarity with the team and the car might make him a safer choice for Red Bull’s aggressive championship aspirations.
Why Do Red Bull’s Second Drivers Struggle?
Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, Red Bull’s second seat has been a revolving door of drivers struggling to match Verstappen. The team’s cars are notoriously tailored to Verstappen’s aggressive driving style, making it difficult for teammates to adapt. Even Sergio Perez, a veteran driver, has faced significant challenges keeping pace.
For Lawson, this setback may not be the end of his Red Bull journey, but it’s a harsh reality check. For Tsunoda, it’s a chance to prove himself in one of F1’s most demanding seats. And for Red Bull, the never-ending search for a Verstappen-worthy teammate continues.
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