And Formula 1 and life in general, some choices can be more contentious than others. By signing Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen in 2025, Red Bull is obviously exposed to questions and sometimes criticism of such a decision. It's no secret: the second seat of the Austrian team, vacated after the break with Sergio Pérez, would be played out between the New Zealander and his teammate at Racing Bulls, Yuki Tsunoda. On paper, the Japanese had solid arguments, especially after a solid 2024 season that ended in 12th place in the championship with 30 points.
However, Red Bull preferred to opt for the young Liam Lawson, who has only eleven Grand Prix starts, rather than the Japanese who played four full seasons with the team. Faenza and who defeated the Kiwi in the last six rounds of the 2024 campaign. A choice that obviously raises questions, but Christian Horner does not hide and explains the reasoning of the Austrian team. “We felt that Liam's trajectory, as well as his mental strength and resilience, were the right assets to be Max's partner next yearRed Bull team boss told SPORT Driving. Because we can say that this seat is the most difficult in Formula 1, compared to Max Verstappen at the peak of his career. »
tsunoda “Wants to prove us wrong”
If Liam Lawson is the big winner of this game of musical chairs in the Red Bull group, Yuki Tsunoda is certainly the big loser. Despite his four seasons and his 87 Grands Prix, the Japanese still does not have the confidence of his clan to establish himself in the parent team and has seen himself overtaken by a young 22-year-old New Zealander, who has not yet played a full season in Formula 1. Despite the Japanese driver's obvious disappointment, Christian Horner assures that he is not discouraged and that he plans to take revenge on the track.
“I spoke to him a while ago and he is more motivated than ever. He wants to prove us wrong, that's clear. the British leader underlines. As I told him: this sport is changing so quickly, this industry is changing so quickly, he just has to keep doing a good job at Racing Bulls. He is very talented, he drove our car in the test [na het seizoen in Abu Dhabi] because we really wanted to evaluate it and it really impressed the engineers. » Unfortunately, Christian Horner also admitted that if Red Bull cannot offer Yuki Tsunoda a place at Red Bull by the end of 2025, the Austrian team could release the Japanese driver. Let's also not forget that from 2026 onwards, Red Bull will no longer be powered by Yuki Tsunoda's mainstay Honda…
READ ALSO > According to Christian Horner, Isack Hadjar was faster than Yuki Tsunoda during the tests in Abu Dhabi
F1
France
