The Formula 1 season of 2025 has barely begun, yet already the rumor mill is in full swing. Merely two races in, and it appears that Red Bull’s Liam Lawson’s might be the first driver change of the season. The rookie’s unimpressive performance, coupled with his 15th place finish in the Chinese Grand Prix, has raised questions about his future with the elite racing team.
Lawson’s entry into the Red Bull senior team has been rocky, to say the least. His struggles with the demanding vehicle, coupled with the towering skill set of teammate Max Verstappen, have put his position in the team under scrutiny. The decision to replace seasoned driver Sergio Perez with Lawson was a risk, and it seems that gamble might not be paying off as expected.
It was a given that the car would be challenging to handle and that Verstappen’s talent would be a tough act to follow. However, Red Bull’s decision to proceed with Lawson over the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda now seems questionable. Tsunoda, with his impressive pace, confidence, and experience, could have been a safer choice. Now, the Red Bull team may be stuck with a decision they cannot retrace.
Yet, it’s important to note that the blame should not be entirely placed on Lawson. The team’s decision-makers who put him in this position must also share in the responsibility. Replacing a seasoned driver like Perez with a relative newcomer like Lawson was a bold move, and now they must deal with the consequences.
It’s also worth questioning why Red Bull continues to measure its second drivers against Verstappen’s extraordinary abilities. This approach has led to the team creating a scapegoat out of its second driver time and again. It’s a trend that they must break if they are to find a stable and successful second driver.
Moreover, the team’s car development strategy also deserves a critical evaluation. The fact that Verstappen suspects the junior team’s 2025 car might be an improvement over his own speaks volumes about the issues at hand. Swapping out the second driver won’t fix these inherent problems.
Nonetheless, Lawson deserves a chance to prove himself. An in-depth debrief and an intensive simulator program could help him improve his performance. It’s crucial to let him apply what he learns in the upcoming races before deciding on his future.
If Red Bull does decide to part ways with Lawson, they must consider their next move carefully. Promoting Tsunoda could be an option, but they must also consider the potential of other drivers like Franco Colapinto. However, Lawson’s potential return to the junior team, Racing Bulls, could cast a shadow over his future prospects with the senior team.
In the end, Red Bull must recognize the flaws in its decision-making process and its driver management strategies. It’s crucial to reevaluate their approach and make decisions based on the unique characteristics of each driver, rather than comparing them to Verstappen’s exceptional abilities. The question of Lawson’s future with the team is merely a symptom of larger issues within the Red Bull Racing team.
