The Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen has long been perceived as a precarious position, with numerous drivers failing to match the performance level of the Dutch marvel. Liam Lawson, the most recent occupant of the second Red Bull seat, appears to be heading down the same disappointing path.
In the past few seasons, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and Sergio Perez have all struggled to deliver consistent performances alongside Verstappen. Early indications suggest that Lawson, who earned his Red Bull stint with impressive performances for Racing Bulls in 2024, might be the next name added to the list of unsuccessful teammates. The New Zealander’s start to the 2025 season has been nothing short of disastrous.
Lawson’s series of blunders and persistent lack of speed have kept him from scoring points for the team, while Verstappen has been consistently battling at the front of the pack. Despite boasting arguably the fastest driver and car in their ranks, Red Bull has only managed to secure third place in the last two Constructors’ Championships.
Red Bull doesn’t need a driver who can consistently outpace Verstappen, but rather one who can keep up with him. Verstappen’s performances this season have been commendable, with a second and fourth place finish, while Lawson has had a DNF and a less than impressive 12th place at the Chinese Grand Prix. The result, although appearing decent, was boosted due to post-race disqualifications of three higher-placed cars.
However, the question arises: Is Verstappen to blame for these struggles?
A theory gaining traction, backed by the drivers’ comments, suggests that Verstappen might be both Red Bull’s blessing and curse. His exceptional abilities as a four-time world champion enable him to navigate the various issues that plague the Red Bull car.
The Red Bull car has a very specific ‘window’ of peak performance. Verstappen, with his intimate understanding of the car and the team, is often able to find this ‘window’. However, for the second driver, who doesn’t have the car built around their needs, locating this ‘window’ becomes a near-impossible task. Failure to do so results in poor performances or crashes, eroding confidence and setting in motion a cycle of underperformance that often ends in replacement.
This suggests that swapping Tsunoda for Lawson might not be the solution Red Bull is looking for. They can cycle through as many young drivers as they wish, but the outcome is likely to remain the same. Why would Red Bull overhaul the formula of a car that consistently delivers world championships with one driver at the helm?
Perez once confided, “I would feel comfortable in the car, but it would be slower.” Albon, in a late-2023 appearance on the High Performance Podcast, discussed his time at Red Bull. He explained that Verstappen’s aggressive driving style leaves no room for another driver to succeed in that car. As the car gets sharper, the gap widens for the second driver, leading to increased risk-taking and crashes, further pushing them behind.
Lawson himself echoed this sentiment in China, stating, “The car’s window is extremely small. I can’t find it. That’s why I don’t have 100% confidence in the car. I lack the time to understand the car better.”
Rumors have begun to circulate that Lawson’s tenure at Red Bull might be nearing its end. Should this happen, Yuki Tsunoda would be the likely candidate to step up from Racing Bulls to partner Verstappen. Despite the team being known for its ruthlessness, this move might seem shocking, especially considering the leniency they showed towards Perez. However, as team principal Helmut Marko stated recently, “For us, performance is what matters.”
It seems plausible that Lawson’s performance will continue to falter. However, replacing him with another driver may not yield the desired results for Red Bull. Until they develop a car that is more accommodating to different driving styles, this pattern is likely to persist. But with Verstappen continuing to win, would they really mind?