Turbulence at Red Bull: A New Chapter for Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson
The second driver position at Red Bull Racing remains a challenging role, with recent mid-season changes underscoring the difficulty of matching the pace set by reigning champion Max Verstappen. The team’s driver advisor, Helmut Marko, has made it clear that the target for the second driver is to maintain a manageable time deficit rather than match Verstappen’s performance.
Following a disappointing stint, Liam Lawson was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after just two races in 2025. Tsunoda, who previously had been overlooked for the seat, now faces the daunting task of adapting to the unpredictable RB21. With only ten points in seven races to date, expectations for his performance have not materialized.
Tsunoda’s Adjustment Struggles
Tsunoda expressed optimism upon joining the team, citing positive simulator feedback and aspirations for a podium finish at his first race in Suzuka. However, he quickly encountered the same issues as his predecessors: an unpredictable car with a narrow performance window. Recent races have seen him lacking the latest updates due to a crash, further complicating his adaptation.
“Driving the RB21, I underestimated its unpredictability,” Tsunoda admitted regarding a significant crash at Imola, which he suggested was avoidable in the more forgiving Racing Bulls vehicle, where he built his early F1 career. He emphasized that understanding the RB21’s nuances is crucial for extracting its potential.
Lawson Remains in the Fight
Meanwhile, Lawson, now in a more stable environment with Racing Bulls, has battled to unlock the car’s speed. Despite confidence in his abilities, he has struggled with consistency, placing him behind teammate Isack Hadjar by approximately three-tenths on average in qualifying—critical in a tightly packed midfield.
Lawson’s first points came at Monaco, where a clean weekend allowed him to showcase potential. “It was just a clean weekend,” he noted, highlighting that executing performance is his current aspiration.
A Path Forward
As both drivers navigate their respective dilemmas, they recognize the need for improvement. Tsunoda is preparing to test new simulator strategies ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, aiming to refine his approach and address grip issues that have plagued him. "It can’t get any worse – so let’s see," he remarked.
As the season progresses, both Tsunoda and Lawson will need to adapt swiftly in order to secure their positions in an unforgiving sport where performance is relentlessly scrutinized. The coming races will be pivotal for their careers and Red Bull’s constructor ambitions.
