In the midst of the 2024 Formula 1 season, a cloud of uncertainty is hovering over Liam Lawson’s future with Red Bull. The New Zealand racer’s position in the team is under intense scrutiny after just two rounds. The rumor mill is churning with speculation that Red Bull might replace Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the impending Japanese Grand Prix. Lawson’s journey with the RB21 hasn’t been smooth sailing, with him struggling to break free from Q1 or secure points in the Australian or Chinese races.
Lawson’s scenario is a familiar story in the Red Bull family – talented drivers being unable to navigate the team’s narrow operating window. A challenge seemingly only mastered by Max Verstappen. But is it too soon for Red Bull to make such a drastic decision, with only two races under the belt this season?
Deputy Editor, Dan Lawrence, advocates for patience. Despite his struggles at the Shanghai International Circuit, Lawson expressed his need for “time” to become more comfortable with the Red Bull. The urgency for Red Bull to improve their standings is evident, especially after last year’s costly experience with an underperforming driver. However, Lawrence argues that Red Bull showed leniency towards Sergio Perez in the past and to dismiss Lawson after just two rounds would be overly ruthless. Lawson, with only 11 Grand Prix starts prior to this season, understandably needs time to acclimatize. Moreover, swapping him with Tsunoda could potentially hinder the latter’s progression if he too experiences difficulties. Tsunoda’s impressive performance with Racing Bulls leaves Red Bull’s alternatives limited in this regard.
F1 reporter, Jack Oliver Smith, shares a similar sentiment. He emphasizes that Lawson is merely two races into his Red Bull journey. Considering the RB21 is reportedly Red Bull’s worst F1 car in years, Smith suggests giving Lawson additional time to potentially narrow the gap with Verstappen. A move to replace Lawson would be more justified if he lagged significantly in a race-winning car.
On the other side of the debate, F1 reporter Harry Whitfield sees the situation differently. He believes that Red Bull’s current predicament is disastrous. While acknowledging Lawson’s speed and his commendable performances with the sister Red Bull team, Whitfield notes Lawson’s dearth of experience compared to other options. He feels Tsunoda’s initial 2025 races, despite strategic missteps from Racing Bulls, demonstrate a pace that surpasses Lawson’s current performance. Whitfield suggests that Red Bull cannot afford to repeat last season’s mistake of sticking with an underperforming driver, risking valuable points in the Constructors’ Championship. He asserts that promoting Tsunoda could vindicate that no one can truly compete with Verstappen in that car.
Lawson’s rocky start to 2025 raises significant questions for Red Bull. As we await the team’s decision, the debate continues. Will they stick with Lawson, hoping he will grow into his role, or will they opt for Tsunoda, taking a gamble on a new dynamic for the team? Only time will tell.
