Red Bull Motorsport Consultant, Dr. Helmut Marko, believes the team is in a favorable position when it comes to selecting their drivers for the 2025 Formula 1 season. With Sergio Perez already confirmed to continue as Max Verstappen’s partner, Red Bull’s focus now shifts to finalizing their second driver for the upcoming season.
RB CEO, Peter Bayer, expressed his preference to keep Yuki Tsunoda, who has had impressive performances throughout the current campaign, scoring points on multiple occasions and establishing himself as a standout driver for the team. Tsunoda is likely to secure a contract extension, unless he decides to explore other opportunities outside of Red Bull.
However, Red Bull faces a dilemma in deciding who will occupy the second seat alongside Tsunoda. Although Daniel Ricciardo has struggled to consistently match his less experienced teammate, the team recognizes the positive impact the Australian driver has had. There are rumors that Liam Lawson, who replaced Ricciardo in five races last season, has been promised a permanent spot by Marko.
“We have a strong driver in Liam Lawson, who has a contract to race for another team if he doesn’t secure a place with us in 2025,” Marko revealed to Kleine Zeitung. It would be beneficial to see him in Formula 1 this year to have a clearer understanding, but it’s a complex situation. We will have to monitor how things develop.”
When asked about the most likely candidate to become Tsunoda’s teammate at the Faenza-based team next season, Marko replied: “It’s a fortunate problem to have!”
Meanwhile, Marko does not rule out the possibility of promoting another driver from within the Red Bull ranks. Ayumu Iwasa, who has been competing in Super Formula, has caught his attention. Iwasa finished fourth in Formula 2 last season and currently holds third place in the Japanese series. He also made his F1 debut in Suzuka in FP1 with the RB.
“In addition to Tsunoda, we have another Honda driver who has been performing well in races, and that is Iwasa,” Marko stated. “Although he has not won a race this year due to two poor starts, he is still third in the championship.”
Both Iwasa and Tsunoda have long-term contracts with Red Bull, so their progress will be closely monitored. When asked about Iwasa’s chances of securing a spot on the F1 grid in 2025, Marko replied: “He needs to win the Super Formula championship. Let’s first see how he does. Although his first race was not great, he was the best driver in the second race.”
Marko also praised Isack Hadjar’s performances in Formula 2. The Frenchman has secured two wins and another podium, currently holding second place in the drivers’ standings. Marko mentioned: “We have Hadjar, who is performing exceptionally well in Formula 2, and also Marti, although he still makes many mistakes. Despite being hit in the first race and facing technical issues twice while in a winning position, he is still second in the championship. He is undoubtedly one of the fastest and most consistent drivers this year.”
Marko believes that the impressive performances of Red Bull prospects in various racing categories have silenced critics of their driver development program. He concluded: “We also have talented drivers in Formula 3. A few years ago, there were doubts about the performance of our junior drivers. What do the critics have to say now?”
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The thrilling motor racing took place this weekend, with the world’s best drivers competing for the title. The track was full of dangerous curves and long straights, providing an exciting challenge for the competitors. Fans were on the edge of their seats as they watched impressive overtakes and drifts.
The highlight of the race was Brazilian driver, Pedro Silva. He showed incredible skills as he overtook his opponents and took the lead of the race. With aggressive and precise driving, Pedro secured the victory and guaranteed his place on the podium.
Another driver who caught the attention was veteran Michael Johnson. Despite his advanced age, he showed that he still has a lot of talent and determination. With a smart strategy, Michael managed to stay among the top finishers and finished the race in second place.
However, not everyone had a good performance. French driver, Jean Dupont, faced mechanical issues early in the race and had to retire. It was a big disappointment for Jean and his fans, who were hoping to see him compete at a high level.
The next race is scheduled for next month and promises to be even more exciting. The drivers are preparing intensely and promise to give their best to achieve victory. Fans can’t wait to see another intense competition on the race track.
Don’t miss the complete coverage of this exciting car racing, with all the details and analysis of the best moments. Stay tuned for more news and updates about the world of car racing. Follow everything on our website and be sure to share with your speed-loving friends.
