Red Bull has officially announced Yuki Tsunoda as the new teammate for Max Verstappen. This decision has led to Liam Lawson being moved back to the junior team, Racing Bulls, after just two races into the current Formula 1 season.
Lawson struggled to score any points in both the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix and faced challenges with Red Bull’s RB21 car due to its complexity. Recognizing the need for car development, the team believes Tsunoda’s experience will be instrumental in enhancing the vehicle.
The verdict was reached during a recent meeting among senior Red Bull executives, including Team Principal Christian Horner and Driver Academy Chief Helmut Marko. Tsunoda, with four F1 seasons under his belt, is set to debut for Red Bull Racing at the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6.
Horner emphasized that the decision to replace Lawson was solely based on sporting considerations, aiming to achieve the team’s goals for this season. He expressed confidence in Tsunoda’s ability to contribute to the car’s improvement.
The switch in drivers reflects Red Bull’s ongoing challenge to find a stable second driver since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, with only Sergio Perez lasting more than 18 months. Lawson’s circumstances resemble Pierre Gasly’s demotion in 2019 after a short stint due to performance pressure.
The team’s previous choices, like promoting Alexander Albon and retaining Perez, demonstrated varied success levels. However, in the current scenario, Tsunoda’s experience is deemed critical to Red Bull’s immediate objectives.
As Red Bull aims to salvage their season, the decision to prioritize Tsunoda’s experience over Lawson’s potential underscores the team’s commitment to performance improvement.