In the aftermath of another challenging weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix, the future of Red Bull’s Liam Lawson is under an intense lens. The rookie racer suffered a difficult second consecutive weekend, culminating in a 15th place finish after an underwhelming two-stop strategy. The question on everybody’s lips: Will Red Bull continue to back Lawson or look for a replacement?
The team’s overall performance has been less than stellar, with Lawson’s struggles in the RB21 significantly contributing to its woes. The lack of progress from the young driver has stirred up speculation about his future in the team. Team principal Christian Horner has given no concrete assurances to quell these rumors, leaving the door open to potential changes.
Red Bull’s challenge lies in balancing the necessity for experienced, high-performing drivers while nurturing young talent without burning them out under the spotlight’s glare. Lawson, despite his current struggles, has only just begun to tread the F1 waters. After only two races on unfamiliar tracks, it could be premature to write him off. His peers, less experienced yet faring well against their teammates, only add fuel to the speculation fire surrounding Lawson’s future.
However, uncertainty looms over who will partner with Max Verstappen in the team’s second car at the Japanese Grand Prix. Red Bull is not expected to make a quick decision following the Chinese Grand Prix, giving Lawson a potentially short-lived reprieve.
If Lawson is given a respite, the Japanese venue could be an opportunity for him to prove his mettle. As a previous second-place finisher there in the Super Formula season finale in 2023, Lawson has shown promise on this circuit. With the right mental resilience and opportunity, he could bounce back and demonstrate his worth to the team.
Alternately, Yuki Tsunoda, another Red Bull driver, is a strong contender for Lawson’s seat. Despite a rocky start to his career, Tsunoda has turned things around, becoming a reliable pair of hands on the wheel. If Red Bull opts for a change, Tsunoda could be the logical next step.
However, the team could also consider options outside its stable. Franco Colapinto, despite being an external candidate, has been linked to the Red Bull seat thanks to his impressive F1 performances. Yet, his hiring would require complex negotiations with Alpine and would send a strong message about the efficacy of Red Bull’s driver development programme.
Other potential candidates include Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, and even a return of Sergio Perez. Each of these drivers brings their own set of strengths and challenges, be it contract negotiations, team dynamics, or the potential undermining of Red Bull’s development programme.
Ultimately, Red Bull’s decision will hinge on a multitude of factors, including Lawson’s upcoming performances, potential replacements’ readiness, and the long-term strategy of the team. As the world watches, Lawson’s future hangs in the balance, with each race potentially making or breaking his F1 career.