Speculation is mounting that Liam Lawson`s time with Red Bull could be short-lived. Team principal Christian Horner declined to confirm the New Zealander`s position for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, raising questions about his future after only two races.
Lawson has had a challenging start to his Red Bull tenure. He was eliminated in the first qualifying stage in all three sessions he participated in, and his race pace has been noticeably slower compared to his teammate Max Verstappen.
Red Bull promoted Lawson from their junior team, Racing Bulls, after a brief period of 11 Grand Prix starts across 2023 and 2024. This decision favored Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda, his more experienced former teammate.
Reports suggest that Red Bull is considering replacing Lawson with Tsunoda as early as the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, scheduled for April 4-6.
When questioned about these reports, Horner did not deny their validity, further fueling speculation about Lawson`s potential replacement.
Horner stated that while paddock speculation is constant, the team would review the data from the recent race before making any decisions.
Despite Horner`s cautious statements, his comments about Lawson`s struggles suggest significant concern within the team.
Horner acknowledged Lawson`s potential but admitted the team isn`t currently seeing it realized. He expressed sympathy for Lawson, noting the growing pressure and media attention surrounding the young driver`s difficulties.
Horner emphasized the team`s responsibility to support Lawson during this challenging period.
He reiterated Lawson`s capabilities but conceded that for unknown reasons, he isn`t performing to his full potential at the moment.
While Lawson`s first races were at unfamiliar circuits, Horner dismissed this as a primary excuse for his performance. He stated that F1 drivers typically adapt quickly to new tracks. Red Bull will analyze the collected data to evaluate the situation further.
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda has openly voiced his disappointment at being passed over for promotion but has delivered strong performances early in the season.
Despite some unfortunate incidents preventing points finishes in the initial races, Tsunoda has qualified well and achieved a notable sixth place in the Shanghai Sprint.
Horner praised Tsunoda`s experience and current performance, highlighting his strong race pace and acknowledging unfortunate setbacks due to strategy and a front-wing issue in the recent race.
Tsunoda previously tested Verstappen`s championship-winning RB20 car, but it was widely believed Red Bull had already decided to replace Sergio Perez with Lawson at that time.
When asked if Tsunoda`s test performance would be a more reliable indicator of his ability to handle the Red Bull car compared to Lawson`s current form, Horner emphasized the extensive data analysis conducted by the team.
He acknowledged Tsunoda`s positive test but stressed the importance of considering the broader picture in driver evaluations.
Gilbert Pendleton