As the Formula 1 season evolves, Red Bull finds itself in the midst of a whirlwind of speculation about a potential driver swap, with Yuki Tsunoda’s stellar performance casting a shadow over the faltering start of Liam Lawson.
Lawson, who has yet to find his footing with Red Bull, had a disappointing performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, finishing in a lacklustre 15th place, thereby leaving him without any points after two rounds. The young driver’s performance was equally dismal in the inaugural race in Australia, where he struggled to adapt to the Red Bull RB21, a sentiment he openly acknowledged over the weekend.
Red Bull’s advisor, Helmut Marko, candidly expressed the team’s disappointment at Lawson’s initial performances. He concurred with Lawson’s self-assessment and admitted the need for a thorough analysis of the situation. Marko emphasized that a driver’s position in the team is contingent on performance, and unfortunately, Lawson has failed to deliver till now.
The uncertainty surrounding Lawson’s future with Red Bull has been compounded by Yuki Tsunoda’s commendable start to the season with Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls. Tsunoda finished an impressive sixth in the Sprint race at Shanghai and showed promise to accumulate points in both Grands Prix, if not for the team’s strategic errors.
Previously, Red Bull had bypassed Tsunoda as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez due to concerns over his mental fortitude to handle the pressure of being Max Verstappen’s team-mate. However, Tsunoda’s recent performances seem to have made a positive impression on Marko, who lauded the Japanese driver’s development and maturity. He even hinted that Tsunoda’s consistent performance might eventually earn him the coveted spot in Red Bull.
When asked about his willingness to switch to Red Bull, Tsunoda confidently stated that he was fully prepared to make the move, regardless of the challenges his predecessors faced. He even expressed eagerness to make the shift as early as next month, in time for his home race at Suzuka.
Tsunoda’s readiness to join Red Bull, his impressive track record, and Lawson’s struggling form have all contributed to the swirling rumours about a potential driver change, adding an intriguing subplot to the unfolding Formula 1 season.
