Christian Horner has addressed the latest modification to the driver line-up at Red Bull, with Liam Lawson demoted back to Racing Bulls and Yuki Tsunoda set to drive alongside Max Verstappen from the F1 Japanese GP onwards.
The second seat at Red Bull has been a thorn in their side for several years now, with multiple drivers unable to keep up with Verstappen. Although the Milton Keynes-based team was able to bring both titles home in 2023, backed by the dominant RB19 and the imposing driving skills of the Dutchman, they finished third in the Constructors’ Championship last season despite a strong start to their campaign.
Lawson stepped up to the senior Red Bull team after they parted ways with Sergio Pérez at the end of 2024. However, with the New Zealander registering two Q1 exits and scoring zero points in the first two races of the season, the Milton Keynes outfit decided to spin the wheel of fortune once again and offered a promotion to Tsunoda following his four-year stint with the sister team.
Engineers’ concerns about Lawson’s mental state influenced Red Bull’s decision
Addressing the driver reshuffle in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports F1 in Tokyo, Horner acknowledged Lawson’s potential and surmised that the young Kiwi would have adapted to the challenging Red Bull machinery within half a season. At the same time, he explained that they didn’t have the luxury of time to support a long adjustment period given the competitive nature of the F1 grid this year.
Reflecting on Lawson’s struggles, Horner revealed how concerned the engineers were in particular about his mental well-being and how that encouraged the team to remove the 23-year-old from that stressful environment before they hit the track at the F1 Japanese GP.
“I think with everything that we saw in Australia and China, you could see that it was really affecting Liam [Lawson] quite badly. And I think that we could have left it.
“I think that Liam is a driver with talent. Maybe within half a season he would have got there, but we just don’t have that amount of time.
“It was something that was very clear to the engineering side within the team, just how much Liam was struggling with it all, and you could see that weight upon his shoulders.
“The engineers were coming to me very concerned about it, and at the end of the day, I think it was the logical thing to do.”
Demotion good for Lawson’s long-term growth
Horner emphasised the convenience of having a sister team and stated that Red Bull are keen to utilise the experience that Tsunoda brings to the table. Conceding that Lawson’s promotion was premature, the Brit also asserted that clocking more mileage away from the rigorous environment of the senior team would enable him to refine his skills.
“We’re in a fortunate position where we have the two teams. And for him to step back into that Racing Bulls environment, utilise the experience of Yuki [Tsunoda].
“We have to accept, I think we were asking too much of him [Lawson] too soon. And so this is for him to, again, nurture that talent that we know that he has back in the Racing Bulls seat whilst giving Yuki the opportunity and looking to make use of the experience that he has.”
In terms of how tough it has been for Lawson to rationalise this setback, Horner commented that this demotion would reinforce his long-term future in the sport.
Reiterating that they were responsible for thrusting the 23-year-old into a challenge he wasn’t ready for, the Red Bull team principal added that he was transparent with Lawson with regard to how they evaluated his performance.
“Of course, it’s horrible because you’re taking away someone’s dreams and aspirations, but sometimes you’ve got to be cruel to be kind. And I think that in this instance, this is not the end for Liam.
“I was very clear with him that it’s a sample of two races. I think that we’ve asked too much of you too soon.”
Tsunoda’s experience primary factor behind Red Bull’s consideration
The RB21 has proved to be a difficult car to tackle in the first two rounds of the season, with Verstappen failing to make it to the podium in Shanghai.
Given Tsunoda’s four-year stint with the sister team, Horner elaborated that the Japanese driver’s experience and the crucial role he can play in the car’s development prompted them to offer him the second Red Bull seat ahead of the F1 Japanese GP.
“We’ve got work to do with the car. We need to improve the car; we need to draw on the experience that Yuki has.
“And in the meantime, you [Lawson] need to go and rebuild yourself in the Racing Bulls, in an environment that you know and is perhaps slightly less pressured than Red Bull Racing.”
Horner believes Red Bull have made the swap early enough for Tsunoda to make an impact
When asked whether they have considered the possibility that Tsunoda might suffer a similar fate at Red Bull, Horner stated that it would provide them with the much-needed clarification that the difficulties stem not from the drivers but from the car.
Nonetheless, the Brit stated that they have orchestrated the move early enough in the season and that they expect Tsunoda to have ample time to adjust and contribute to the RB21’s development for the remainder of their 2025 F1 campaign. Additionally, Horner commented that the responsibility falls on Red Bull to build a car that plays to the strengths of both their drivers.
“Yeah, there is. But then it points the finger very firmly at the car.
“And I think that what we have with Yuki is a driver with four and a bit years’ experience that he’s able to draw on.
“The engineers will be able to draw on that to help progress the development of the car over the balance of the season.
“So I think for him, it’s a tall order jumping straight into the car, but it’s a track that he knows well. And we’ve done it soon enough for it to have a large enough impact for the rest of the year.
“We know his skill set very well. And I think that it will be firmly on us to develop the car to ensure that it’s drivable for both drivers.”
Long-term position at Red Bull on the table if Tsunoda does well
In terms of whether Tsunoda would be able to stake a long-term claim to the second Red Bull seat if he meets their expectations this year, Horner referred to his multi-year contract and confirmed that such an offer is on the table.
Nevertheless, the 51-year-old added that they intend to focus on the present and that Tsunoda has to make the most of this opportunity to cement his position in the team.
“Well, he’s under contract for several years to come. So we have those options on him for the future.
“But at the moment, our focus is on the here and now. And he’s got the opportunity. He’s earned that opportunity.
“And now it’s down to him to make the most of it.”
Horner thinks both car and driver responsible for underperforming second Red Bull seat
With regard to whether the cars or the drivers have been the catalyst behind the chronic underperformance that the second Red Bull seat witnesses, Horner claimed that it’s a combination of both.
Admitting that they have previously promoted their junior drivers to the senior team ahead of time, the Brit nonetheless underscored the advantage of having a robust driver development programme which provides them with a steady supply of young and upcoming talents.
“I think it’s a combination.
“You could arguably say that in previous years, we perhaps promoted drivers too soon. I think particularly in, if I think back to Alex Albon’s time, Pierre Gasly was rushed through as Daniel Ricciardo moved to Renault at that time as well.
“So I think that particularly in Red Bull racing, perhaps we have moved these juniors too soon.
“But that’s why we have a young driver programme and a talent pool that we’re looking to develop and obviously invest in, which has given many, many drivers. I think seven of the current drivers on the grid have come through that Red Bull Junior programme at some point in time.”
