Dr Helmut Marko on why Liam Lawson “failed to deliver”, and Red Bull’s decision to replace him with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the F1 Japanese GP.
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull Racing has made a major driver change, announcing that Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson starting from the F1 Japanese Grand Prix. The decision follows Lawson’s challenging start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, with the young New Zealander struggling to adapt to the RB21.
Liam Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull was initially seen as a bold move, reportedly preferred by team principal Christian Horner. However, after just two races, Red Bull has opted for a change. Advisor Dr Helmut Marko explained the reasoning behind this switch to OE24:
“In Australia, he [Lawson] had a turbo failure in the third practice session. The time he lost on track as a result took its toll on him.
“What he has shown so far has clearly been too little. We need a strong second driver, if only to enhance the team’s strategy.”
“Yuki was too inconsistent, which is why we unanimously chose Lawson. However, under increased pressure, he failed to deliver from the first day in Australia. Then he descended into a downward spiral. It’s like a battered boxer; it’s very difficult to get out of it. In that sense, it was a mistake.”
Photo Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
The struggles Lawson had and the strong form of Tsunoda
Lawson struggled in Melbourne, qualifying 18th and retiring after a late-race accident. In China, he qualified 20th and finished 12th, sparking doubts about his ability to perform at the highest level.
However, this quick decision raises an important debate — were two races enough to determine whether Lawson deserved the seat? Many young drivers take time to adjust to the high-pressure environment of Red Bull. While his performances weren’t ideal, some might argue that he deserved more of an opportunity to prove himself.
On the other hand, Tsunoda has been on excellent form with Racing Bulls. His impressive qualifying results and points-scoring performances showcased his growth as a driver. With his consistency and Honda’s backing, Red Bull saw this as the right time to give him the opportunity.
Ultimately, while Tsunoda fully deserves this chance, the speed of Red Bull’s decision regarding Lawson may leave lingering questions about whether he was given a fair shot.
