Red Bull have been exposed by Liam Lawson's struggles

The Liam Lawson situation at Red Bull has sent the team into a spiral just two races into 2025. Would Yuki Tsunoda next to Max Verstappen been a better solution? Did Christian Horner play himself?

Red Bull's controversial handling of Liam Lawson's rapid promotion has sparked widespread criticism, damaging their previously unshakeable public image. Contractual disputes forced Red Bull into placing Lawson in their notoriously difficult RB21, revealing deeper management issues within the team's structure. Max Verstappen's recent statements further fueled controversy, suggesting Lawson might have performed better in Racing Bulls' more predictable car, indirectly highlighting internal instability and the complex relationship between the main team and its sister outfit. Key technical staff departures, notably Adrian Newey and Rob Marshall, have left noticeable gaps, making Red Bull vulnerable and prompting urgent internal discussions about their strategic direction.

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda emerges as a surprising focal point amid the chaos. His newly calm and mature demeanor, possibly shaped by teammate Daniel Ricciardo, positions him as an ideal candidate to stabilize Red Bull’s second seat dilemma. Speculation is rife about a potential Tsunoda-Lawson swap ahead of Suzuka, driven partly by PR motives aimed at restoring fan confidence and securing Red Bull’s competitive future. As Red Bull navigates this crisis, questions linger about whether the team can maintain relevance beyond Verstappen, highlighting urgent decisions ahead in driver management and car development strategies.

#f1 #liamlawson #formula1 #formulaone #f12025 #redbullracing #redbull #maxverstappen #tsunoda #honda #yukitsunoda #chinagp #ausgp #f1rumors #helmutmarko #f1news #f1latest #f1drama #f1updates #formula12025

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[kikay]

I think Max is increasingly annoyed that the engineers have just been relying on him to mask the car's issues.

[undergroundbuzz]

3 seasons of Choco telling us the car was fked and no one believed him. Two races with the kiwi fella and suddenly it was indeed the car smh.

[frankclemence]

When even Verstappen himself is seemingly left clueless on how he is doing so well, how would anyone like Lawson have stood a chance in that environment?

[nuriamurogio]

It's ridiculous (and infuriating) that the problems were clear since Checo was doing extremely well in 2023, fell of so quickly and no one batted an eye but the moment Liam stepped up everyone is starting to ask questions. When it was Checo, it was a driver issue. Now it's a car and team issue. And now people want Yuki there and it's most likely to go the same way, I just hope Yuki's team can recognize this and find a better option.

[mstrelokm]

Yuki's "Front wing damage from what?!" Really reminds me of Kimi Raikkonen's: "FOR WHAT?!"

[Celoth]

Been saying it for a while, Checo was a scapegoat.

Albon, Gasly, Perez, now Lawson... none of them are bad drivers. RBR is a midfield team being propped up by a phenomenal driver and they continue to refuse to face their own deficits. They're in for a very rude awakening when Max leaves.

[borisgerritsen]

Swapping liam and yuki before japan is a lose-lose. Liam did well in super formula and might do well in suzuka. And if yuki comes in, they will only set him up for failure infront of his home crowd in a tricky car

[reversal]

I’m seeing so many publications lately about Liam already being out of a seat and potentially Franco coming to Racing Bulls as well? This silly season could be even sillier than last year.

[smith]

Most people saying that Yuki should have been promoted over Lawson... but now I don't think I want Yuki to go to Red Bull and get his career destroyed like Gasly, Albon, Checo and now Lawson have before him.

[aidanohryn]

3:36 I was watching the sky broadcast this weekend and noticed they edit the team radios. I had driver cams on my iPad and was listening to pastri radio. When Oscar was asked about his tires he replied saying his fronts were good and that his rears were more of an issue. When the same message asking came on the sky broadcast Oscar’s response was “I can make it to the end” which was never actually said. Found that weird that they edit the radios real time

[Darioevangelisti]

In general, the situation at RB is a chaotic mess. They're thinking about calling Colapinto on loan from Alpine to cover Yuki's promotion to RB or Lawson's spot at RB if Yuki refuses. The situation is truly a mess, the mere idea that Red Bull, a team with 2 constructors in a row and 4 drivers' titles in the last 5 years, has to beg Alpine for one of his drivers, is an utter disgrace

[berserksamurai]

But when Perez was in the 2nd car, it was his fault...

[Thaumaturge]

Think this car proves just how talented Max is. I bet anything you put Liam back in the junior team there would be nowhere near this drop-off in performance.

[xx]

im a huge Max hater, but it never even came to my mind that he was trying to throw shade on Liam. He was simply saying that their new car is bad to drive and (obviously) its even harder for a rookie and that VCARB car would be better, not that he should go back to VCARB. I think Max would like if Liam was right behind him, but hes frustrated that everyone takes his superior skill as certainty and not try to develop the car for others as well and then be all surprised when no one else can drive it.

[eltoons]

okay but the fact that people are only now realizing and having this discussion when Checo has been pointing out the flaws of the 2nd Redbull, but it fell on deaf ears because of the season that Verstappen was having just feels so cruel, a solid career and a well love driver slandered and bullied out of the field when it's clear that Redbull kept him around for that extra season to take heat off of them considering their car is a POS and the 2nd car exposes that. I don't see Helmut Marko going on about how Lawson is slow and unfocused because he's from Oceania, so NOW people believe it's the car?? unreal.

[juanperaza]

so now it's a redbull problem and not the driver like when Checo was driving? okay lol
It's not like he's been saying this for a while now and people just wanted to flip it and say it was his lack of skill. But sure, it took Lawson to realize that the sky is blue after all.

[FrancisFjordCupola]

Red Bull already had the 4th fastest car on the grid last year. They've become lazy, assuming Max will magically solve everything for them. Max' comments on Liam are far from denigrating. Max isn't busy with whomever will eventually replace him. He doesn't intend to go on forever. Would have preferred to see Yuki next to Max this year.

[ericstratten]

If they swap drivers (Liam<>Yuki) I think Liam will out-qualify Yuki at the first race. The RB21 is obviously really troublesome to drive. Yuki would be better off staying where he is.

[xhowitisx]

At least give Lawson a chance on a track he's actually raced in before 😂

[TonyAvalosGTA]

Car = Unfixable
Problem = Skill Issue
Solution = Swap