Following yet another modification to the lineups at Red Bull and Racing Bulls, Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar have opened up about the driver swap ahead of the F1 Japanese GP.
After finishing third in the Constructors’ standings last year, Red Bull decided to part ways with Sergio Pérez, given his noticeable slump in performance. Although the Milton Keynes outfit decided to promote Lawson over Tsunoda, their gamble ultimately backfired as the young Kiwi really struggled to adapt and scored zero points in the first two rounds of the season.
With Lawson getting demoted back to Racing Bulls and Tsunoda now set to drive alongside four-time world champion Verstappen, Red Bull are optimistic that they can utilise the Japanese driver’s experience and steer the course of the development of the tricky RB21 in the right direction.
Verstappen confirms he is unhappy with the driver swap
Ahead of the F1 Japanese GP on Thursday in his print media session, Verstappen was initially reluctant to share his thoughts on the recent driver swap that saw Tsunoda replace Lawson in the senior Red Bull team.
“My reaction was shared with the team, but in general, you know, about not only the swap, but about everything. We discussed that already during last weekend, race weekend, back at the factory.
“Everything has been shared with the team, how I think about everything. Sometimes it’s not necessary, you know, to always share and say everything in public. I think it’s better.”
Nonetheless, when asked whether he endorsed the opinion shared by Giedo van der Garde on Instagram regarding the driver swap, the Dutchman confirmed that his like under the post meant that he agrees with the former Dutch F1 driver.
“Well, I liked the comment, the text, so I guess that speaks for itself, right? It was not a mistake.”
Verstappen believes the second driver will find success once the car becomes more drivable
In terms of whether the team has taken accountability for the challenging cars that have contributed to the struggles of the drivers in the second Red Bull seat, Verstappen remarked that the team is aware of the issue. At the same time, he added that the second driver would instinctively find the RB21 easier to tackle once it becomes more competitive and drivable.
“Well, I think our main issue is that our car is not where we want it to be. I think everyone knows that within the team as well, and that’s what I focus on, to be honest.
“Because as soon as the car is more competitive and more drivable in general, then I think even in the other car, you know, the second car, it will come to you anyway a bit more naturally.”
Current calendar and format don’t help the rookies
When asked whether there are any drivers apart from himself, especially a rookie, who can tame the RB21 on track, Verstappen admitted that the current calendar and format have made it increasingly difficult for the rookies to adapt to a new car and environment.
Moreover, the 27-year-old also elaborated that it’s difficult for him to offer a valid opinion given that he has only driven Red Bull machinery so far in his F1 career.
“I mean, people always say that Liam [Lawson] did 11 races or something in total, but over a different period of time.
“And, I think for rookies, always the beginning of the season actually, you have the calendar nowadays and F1 is very tough, because most of these tracks, they haven’t really driven on, or they maybe have a sprint weekend. So all these scenarios, they don’t help.
“Now, from my side, it’s very difficult to say how difficult or how well the car drives, because I’ve not really driven any other car in my career or been with another team. So I just adapt to the situation that I’m in, you know, to the best I can.”
Verstappen thinks it’s pointless to reevaluate Pérez’s situation despite Lawson facing similar struggles
With regard to whether the recent tensions involving the driver swap have impacted his confidence in the team leadership, Verstappen’s response implied that he finds the actions of the senior Red Bull figures unsatisfactory.
“No, I mean I just focus on myself. I focus on what I have to do, what I get paid for to do. And that’s the only thing they can do.”
In terms of whether Pérez’s struggles from last year should be reevaluated in view of how Lawson has suffered a similar fate, Verstappen remarked that it’s pointless to dwell on the past and that it’s imperative for them to focus their attention on improving the car.
“I don’t think you need to have a look at anyone, to be honest; I mean what has been done has been done.
“I think it’s more important that we take a good look at ourselves and just keep on working and keep on improving the car; I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Oh poor Checo [Pérez], or poor this, poor that.
“I mean at the end of the day, we got ourselves into this situation. So we just need to work on it.”
Tsunoda feels no additional pressure after joining Red Bull
When asked in the pre-race press conference on Thursday whether Red Bull have offered any assurances in respect of how many races he will be given to prove his worth, Tsunoda confirmed that there’s no specific deadline.
Despite the demotion that Lawson suffered after struggling considerably in the first two races, the 24-year-old commented that he is familiar with the atmosphere at Red Bull and that he feels no additional pressure ahead of his home Grand Prix in Japan.
“I didn’t get any specific number of races or time to prove myself. He’s [Horner] been very supportive so far and just mentioned the expectations he has of me–what he wants me to achieve.
“Pressure always comes once you hit the track. But for now, I feel really relaxed. It feels similar to when I was at VCARB. Once I entered hospitality, I was feeling the same, I was only thinking about breakfast.
“So far I’m not necessarily feeling pressure. Those things will come naturally, especially during qualifying in the home Grand Prix. But there’s not much point in feeling pressure. I’m feeling confident and hope I can do something different from other drivers.”
Tsunoda confident about making a positive contribution
In terms of how much confidence he has in the decision-making process at Red Bull after they initially passed him over for the promotion in favour of Lawson, Tsunoda confessed that he found the decision really tough to accept in December last year. Nonetheless, he remarked that they are well aware of how cutthroat the sport is right now.
“Well, for me at least, it was brutal enough last year at the end of the season when they chose Liam over me. Yeah. It is what it is.
“I’m sure Liam also understands how quickly things can change within our structure. That’s one of the reasons we succeed, but also one of the reasons why we tend to get a little more attention with those situations.”
Although he stated that he doesn’t expect to perform at the level Verstappen does from the get-go, the Japanese driver added that he is not only excited about the new challenge but also optimistic about making a positive difference in comparison to his immediate predecessors.
“I have confidence. I’m not saying I have the confidence that I can perform straight away like Max [Verstappen], but I have confidence that I can do something different hopefully, compared to other drivers that will be in the car.
“If I didn’t have confidence, I wouldn’t be wearing this. I would have stayed in Racing Bulls. Racing Bulls already have such a good car, and I understand how they extract performance in every race so far but because I wanted to have a new challenge, and I have good confidence to challenge myself, so that’s why I’m wearing this and hitting the track with a different livery.”
Tsunoda surprised by Helmut Marko’s lack of communication so far
When asked whether Helmut Marko has spoken to him regarding the driver swap and whether the Red Bull management has been transparent about how the decisions are made, Tsunoda conceded that he is genuinely surprised by Marko’s lack of communication so far.
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old asserted that they maintain a good relationship and that he would get in touch with the Austrian in the paddock later during the weekend.
“Surprisingly, he didn’t call me yet. Very unusual. Not sure, maybe he was busy with other things. I can’t wait to see him and see how he’s going to react to me.
“It’s very unusual. From F3, F2, F1, he’s always been calling me. But this is the only time he didn’t. I’m sure there’s not anything from his side.
“Even in the last few races, we’ve still had a good relationship. We didn’t have any moments between us. So yeah, let’s see how he arrives at the track and yeah, we’ll see him in person.”
Lawson excited to still be in F1 despite unexpected demotion
In terms of what his overriding feeling is about the driver swap with Tsunoda and how he seeks to proceed from here, Lawson responded in Thursday’s pre-race press conference that this decision was unexpected.
Nonetheless, the young Kiwi added that he is grateful for still having a career in F1 and that he intends to make the most of this opportunity at Racing Bulls as he gears up for the Japanese GP this weekend.
“I would say, I was more surprised. Obviously, it’s very early in the season. I was hoping to go to a track that I’d raced before and have a clean weekend to have a chance like that.
“The decision obviously was made, and when I was told, although it was tough to hear, I had one or two days to sort of think about it. Then I was in Faenza with VCARB, starting preparations and seat fits, and then you’re basically just focused on the job.
“I have the opportunity to still be in Formula 1 and still racing, and that is the main thing for me. With this opportunity, I’m excited to be here. It’s been a strong start to the season for this team, for VCARB. So I guess it’s exciting for me now to come in here in this position.”
Red Bull management didn’t involve Lawson in the decision-making
When asked to clarify whether the Red Bull management had already informed him of the driver swap in China, Lawson responded that the team notified him later in the following week.
“No, I had no idea in China. It was something that was decided, I guess, the Monday or Tuesday afterwards. I found out after China basically.
“So yeah, it was, I think for all of us, probably more unexpected. But it was after the weekend.”
With regard to how the situation was presented to him, Lawson explained that the management got in touch after the reshuffle was already finalised and left no room for discussion.
“It was more of a done deal, I would say. I left China, started preparations for Japan, and basically I had a phone call saying that this was what was going to happen. So, yeah.”
Lawson intent on proving his worth and taking control of his future
In reference to Tsunoda getting the promotion after being passed over initially and whether there’s a possibility of him making his way back to Red Bull if he delivers satisfactory results for the remainder of the season, Lawson commented that he is unsure where his future will take him.
At the same time, the New Zealander stated that his sole objective moving forward is to drive the car to the best of his ability and reach his full potential in the sport.
“I think we know how Formula 1 is and how quickly things change. If I look back a year ago, I had no seat. I was here a year ago watching and wishing I was racing. Then I had the opportunity to race at the end of last year and the opportunity then to go to VCARB. So a lot has happened in 12 months.
“For me, the main thing is being in a car. I have the opportunity to prove why I belong here and that’s what I’ll try and do, and that’s what I do every single time I get in the car. That’s what I’ll be doing this weekend.
“I think things change very, very quickly and where my future is, I don’t know. The only way I can control that is by driving fast.”
Lawson expected more consideration and for Red Bull to let him race at Suzuka
In terms of whether there was a possibility of him getting to grips with the RB21 with more time or whether Red Bull are right to orchestrate this driver swap so early in the season, Lawson admitted that he expected the team to be more considerate and allow him to display his skills at the F1 Japanese GP, on a track he was familiar with.
“I think, yeah, in Formula 1, we have issues; that’s part of it, especially with these cars that are pushing the limits like they are.
“I’d maybe hoped that would be taken into consideration more, and I think that’s why for me it was important to come to a place that I’d raced before and driven before.
“Melbourne and China are both tough tracks, and with the way the weekends went, they weren’t the smoothest.
“But it’s motorsport. As I said, the decision was not mine, but I’ll make the most of this one.”
Lawson concedes Red Bull did what’s best for everyone
With regard to Christian Horner using the term “duty of care” and whether this early driver swap has dealt a blow to his confidence, Lawson responded that this setback hasn’t impacted his self-belief.
Admitting that he failed to make the most of the opportunity whilst driving for a top team like Red Bull, the New Zealander nonetheless stated that he trusts the team to decide the best course of action for everyone involved.
“I think confidence-wise it doesn’t change a lot. We all have enough self-belief to be here and to make it to Formula 1. If you don’t have that self-belief, it makes it very difficult. So I think we all have that naturally; it doesn’t really change how I feel about myself.
“Obviously, the best opportunity I had felt like it was with Red Bull Racing. That’s where we’re all working towards. That’s what I was working towards since joining the junior programme as a 16-year-old.
“So obviously, I would have liked to make that opportunity work and that’s in my best interest. But obviously, Christian [Horner] and the team will have their opinions on what’s best, and that’s up to them to decide.”
Lawson admits his promotion was premature but still feels he was ready
When asked whether 11 races over the course of two years were enough to prepare him for the challenge at Red Bull or whether he believes the promotion arrived too early now, Lawson remarked that making such an observation is easier in retrospect.
Nevertheless, admitting that Red Bull’s decision to promote him was premature in certain aspects, Lawson commented that the demotion doesn’t affect his perception of himself. Furthermore, he stood by his opinion that he was ready by highlighting that he struggled on two circuits that were relatively new to him.
“I think it’s easy to look at it in that way with how the last couple of weekends went. But as I think we talked about, they were not the smoothest of weekends and at tracks that were very new to me.
“So in some senses, yes, it was early. But at the same time, I think part of the reason they brought me in in the first place was to adapt quickly. And although that was tough, you can say anything now that the decision is done.
“But it doesn’t change how I view it or how I view myself. I felt like I was ready, so although the weekends were tough, that doesn’t change.”
Lawson’s demotion to Racing Bulls changes nothing for Hadjar
Speaking in a print media session ahead of the F1 Japanese GP, Hadjar addressed the contentious driver swap and stated that Lawson moving back to Racing Bulls doesn’t change how he approaches his work.
Adding that he doesn’t need his teammate to motivate his performance on track, the French-Algerian rookie commented that he expects to get along well with the New Zealander.
“I don’t think so; I think we’re going to work just fine together.
“I just focus on what I’m doing and don’t need anyone special alongside to push myself to drive as fast as I can; I just know Liam is great to work with.
“It’s maybe weird for everyone except for the drivers because we know what’s going on and how hard this sport is. Between us, there’s no awkward situations at all.”
Although saddened by the departure of Tsunoda, Hadjar also shared that he expects the Japanese driver to perform well in the senior team.
“I’m a bit sad he left.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge. I know he’s been ready and waiting for it and I think it’s really cool as well that he gets the call for his home race. I wish him the best.”
With regard to whether he feels additional pressure in view of how ruthlessly Red Bull demoted Lawson after only two races, Hadjar responded that he is unbothered by the swap involving other drivers.
“I haven’t been dropped, I think. It’s not concerning me at all.”
