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Lawson Over Tsunoda: Red Bull’s Gamble Sparks Debate as Perez Bows Out

Redação by Redação
December 20, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Lawson Over Tsunoda: Red Bull’s Gamble Sparks Debate as Perez Bows Out

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 06: Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Visa Cash App RB and Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB take a selfie at the Visa Cash App RB team photo after practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 06, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202412150008 // Usage for editorial use only //

Red Bull Racing’s decision to replace Sergio Perez with 22-year-old Liam Lawson for the 2025 Formula 1 season has ignited fierce debate, with former F1 driver and pundit Johnny Herbert labeling it a mistake. While Herbert agrees Perez’s underperformance made his departure inevitable, he believes Yuki Tsunoda would have been a better choice to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull’s senior team.


Perez’s Red Bull Struggles

Sergio Perez’s 2024 campaign marked the lowest point of his Red Bull tenure. While Verstappen cruised to the drivers’ title with a staggering 437 points, Perez managed just 152, leaving Red Bull second in the constructors’ championship for the first time since 2020. Herbert painted a grim picture of Perez’s mental state:

“Checo is a broken man, crushed and destroyed by what Max is doing in the Red Bull every race. He needs to reboot and refresh, but where can he go? There’s hardly anything available.”

Perez’s departure leaves him searching for opportunities elsewhere in an increasingly crowded F1 driver market.


Lawson’s Rise Over Tsunoda

Despite Yuki Tsunoda’s extensive experience with Red Bull’s junior teams—amassing 87 Grand Prix starts—the Japanese driver was passed over in favor of Liam Lawson, who has just 11 starts to his name. Red Bull’s leadership, including Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, ultimately saw more potential in Lawson based on his speed, composure, and telemetry data.

Johnny Herbert, however, is unconvinced. “The one who has impressed me the most is Yuki. I like his feistiness and his ability to say what he feels, whether about his team or other drivers. That kind of strong head is what you need to go up against Max,” Herbert argued.

Herbert believes Tsunoda’s competitive spirit and qualifying prowess would make him a better fit alongside Verstappen. “Would Yuki beat Max? I’m not sure, but I think it would be close. That is what Red Bull needs,” he added.


Why Red Bull Chose Lawson

Red Bull’s decision to promote Lawson wasn’t just about raw performance. The team considered a mix of factors—talent, consistency, composure under pressure, and marketability. Lawson’s ability to shine in high-pressure scenarios, including his fearless battles with top drivers like Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez, convinced the team he was ready for the challenge.

Herbert, however, sees this as a gamble: “Lawson is talented, no doubt. But Red Bull is Verstappen’s team, and the bar is sky-high. It’s a brutal environment for any driver.”


Tsunoda’s Path Forward

For Tsunoda, the decision is a bitter pill to swallow. Having delivered his most competitive season in 2024, scoring 30 of Racing Bulls’ 46 points, the Japanese driver proved he could compete with the best. Yet his only path to Red Bull’s senior team now depends on Lawson failing to meet expectations—a scenario that could open the door for Tsunoda to step in.

For now, Tsunoda remains with Racing Bulls, where he will aim to further cement his case for a promotion. But with Red Bull notoriously cutthroat in its driver decisions, his window of opportunity may be closing.


A Risky Move for Red Bull

Replacing an experienced driver like Perez with a relative newcomer like Lawson is a high-stakes decision for Red Bull. The team has bet on Lawson’s potential to perform under the immense pressure of being Verstappen’s teammate. While Tsunoda’s feisty demeanor and proven reliability would bring a different dynamic, Red Bull seems convinced that Lawson’s attributes align better with the team’s long-term vision.

As the 2025 season approaches, the spotlight will shine brightly on both Lawson and Tsunoda. For Lawson, it’s a chance to prove he belongs in one of the most coveted seats in motorsport. For Tsunoda, it’s an opportunity to show Red Bull what they’re missing.

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