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Christian Horner Breaks Silence on Red Bull’s Decision to Snub Tsunoda for Lawson: ‘A Gritty Racer Mentality’

Publisher by Publisher
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Christian Horner Breaks Silence on Red Bull’s Decision to Snub Tsunoda for Lawson: ‘A Gritty Racer Mentality’

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 21: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks with Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Scuderia AlphaTauri on the grid prior to the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 21, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202310220205 // Usage for editorial use only //

In a bombshell move, Red Bull Racing opted to promote rookie Liam Lawson over the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda, leaving fans and pundits buzzing. With Sergio Perez out after a lackluster 2024 season, the decision to elevate Lawson—a relative newcomer with just 11 races under his belt—has set the stage for a fascinating 2025 lineup alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

Team Principal Christian Horner has now pulled back the curtain on the reasoning behind the controversial choice, citing Lawson’s superior race pace, mental toughness, and adaptability as key factors.


“Lawson Was Simply Faster,” Says Horner

Speaking candidly, Horner emphasized Lawson’s performance metrics as a decisive factor. While Tsunoda delivered consistent qualifying results, Lawson edged him out when it came to race pace—an area Red Bull values highly.

“With Liam, when you go into the analytics of his races, his pace was slightly better,” Horner explained. “His qualifying pace was very tight with Yuki, but you’ve got to assume that with Liam, having only done 11 Grand Prix, his potential to grow is immense. He’s shown real mental resilience and toughness.”


“A Debut to Remember: Lawson’s Zandvoort Heroics”

Horner highlighted Lawson’s impressive debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix as a defining moment. Called up at the eleventh hour to replace an injured Daniel Ricciardo, the Kiwi showcased remarkable adaptability by immediately competing with the dominant Red Bull cars.

“A couple of things stood out with me about Liam—how versatile he is,” Horner said. “If you remember his debut in Zandvoort after Daniel broke his fingers, he was racing against Max [Verstappen] on his out lap. That ability to get on with it in high-pressure situations is rare.”


“A Gritty Racer Built for Battle”

Beyond raw pace, Lawson’s fearless racing style earned him the nod over Tsunoda. Horner recalled Lawson’s stint in DTM, where he drove a Ferrari GT car and demonstrated his aggressive yet calculated approach on the track.

“He’s got that gritty racer mentality,” Horner said. “He adjusted to driving a Ferrari GT car incredibly quickly alongside Alex Albon and generally had the upper hand. His racecraft, especially his willingness to go wheel-to-wheel and even rub wheels when necessary, sets him apart.”


“The Road Ahead: High Stakes for Lawson and Tsunoda”

For Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull’s decision is undoubtedly a blow. The 23-year-old has shown steady improvement but will now have to prove his worth at RB while keeping hopes alive for a future promotion.

Meanwhile, Lawson faces the daunting task of stepping into Perez’s shoes and keeping pace with Verstappen. Red Bull is known for its demanding environment, and with Verstappen firmly established as the team leader, Lawson will need to bring his A-game to cement his place.


“A High-Risk, High-Reward Gamble”

As Horner admitted, promoting Lawson comes with inherent risks, but it’s a calculated gamble Red Bull is willing to take.

“We’ve had juniors struggle in the past, but Liam’s shown he’s different. He’s versatile, tough, and has the kind of grit we need to complement Max,” Horner concluded.

Whether this decision propels Red Bull to new heights or repeats the mistakes of its past remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Lawson’s 2025 debut will be one of the most closely watched storylines in Formula 1.

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