In a surprising move, Red Bull Racing has replaced Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda, after Lawson’s underwhelming performance during the initial race weekends of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Tsunoda, stepping into Lawson’s shoes, has shown promise right from his first practice session in Suzuka, where he finished a mere 0.107 seconds behind teammate Max Verstappen. According to team chief Christian Horner, Red Bull is adopting a new strategy to boost Tsunoda’s performance.
Christian Horner has acknowledged the need for a different car setup to aid Tsunoda, emphasizing that Max Verstappen’s unique skill set allows him to extract extraordinary lap times. Horner told Sky Sports F1 that providing a “calmer car” might not produce the fastest results but will offer the predictability and confidence necessary for a driver like Tsunoda to settle in. This strategic change marks an essential point in Red Bull’s quest to stabilize their driver lineup after an alarming season start.
The move is further substantiated by Helmut Marko, who revealed that the team is considering a less aggressive setup for the second car. The current issue revolves around the RB21 model’s narrow operating window, which challenges drivers despite Verstappen’s ability to manage these limitations somewhat effectively. Horner explained the engineers’ focus on widening this window to better accommodate varying challenges throughout the season.
Max Verstappen’s prowess has often overshadowed the car’s limitations, yet even he finds it challenging to match his previous seasons. In the current standings, Verstappen holds the second position, trailing leader Lando Norris by eight points. As the team actively refines the RB21’s handling, they aim to create a car that provides consistent performance across all drivers.
This managerial decision is crucial for Red Bull as they endeavor to refine and maximize their drivers’ potential. A stable and effective partnership is vital for the team, especially if Tsunoda can deliver impressive results alongside insightful feedback. Such feedback would be invaluable for the developers and engineers tasked with fine-tuning the car and enhancing its performance.
The reshuffle is a calculated risk for Red Bull, signaling a potentially transformative phase in their racing strategy. By optimizing their vehicle setup to suit Tsunoda’s driving style, they are not only showcasing confidence in his abilities but also striving for an improved team dynamic. As the season progresses, this bold approach could help redefine their standing and performance, while closely monitored by racing enthusiasts and experts eager to see the impact of these changes.
