Red Bull Considers Changes in Driver Lineup Amid Lawson’s Struggles
Red Bull Racing is contemplating a possible shake-up in its driver roster after Liam Lawson’s challenging start to the season. Lawson took over from Sergio Perez during the winter break, as Perez’s performances in the latter part of 2024 were deemed inadequate. Despite Max Verstappen clinching his fourth drivers’ championship with an impressive 134 points in the same period, Perez managed only nine points in the final eight races. This led Red Bull to place their trust in the New Zealander, impressed by his approach with Racing Bulls in the closing rounds.
Early Season Struggles and Lawson’s Performance
While Red Bull’s car hasn’t been a frontrunner in the opening races, Verstappen has still amassed 36 points. In contrast, Lawson’s debut saw a crash in Australia and a 12th place finish in China following disqualifications, where he qualified last in both Sprint and Grand Prix qualifications. Melbourne and Shanghai were entirely new territories for Lawson, who acknowledges the challenge of adapting to the 2025 Red Bull in limited time.
“To be honest, we were even more competitive in Saturday’s Sprint. We were able to overtake cars and move forward,” Lawson stated. “We tried a significant setup change on Sunday to learn something new, but unfortunately, it didn’t work. There’s a lot to learn from this weekend, and I need to improve personally. I wish I had more time in the car, but we don’t have that luxury. Thankfully, we’re heading to a track I know and like, so I’ll be preparing thoroughly this week to perform better.”
Future Prospects and Potential Changes
Lawson finished the Chinese Grand Prix over a minute behind Verstappen, highlighting a pace deficit of more than a second per lap in the 56-lap race. With experience racing at Suzuka in both Formula 1 and Super Formula, speculation arises about Red Bull’s next move before the Japan race. If a change occurs, Yuki Tsunoda is the likely candidate for promotion, with Lawson potentially returning to Racing Bulls.
Although Lawson’s future remains uncertain, Red Bull has faced similar situations before. Last summer, they considered dropping Perez mid-season but ultimately retained the same lineup post-summer break.
Christian Horner’s Perspective and Team Considerations
Amid growing discussions on Red Bull’s current scenario, team principal Christian Horner has not committed to Lawson’s participation in Suzuka. “Look, everything is speculative right now,” Horner remarked. “We’ve just finished this race, and we’ll review the data thoroughly. Liam has potential, but it’s not being realized currently. He’s had challenging weekends and is under considerable media scrutiny, which naturally adds pressure. I feel for him as it’s tough.”
Horner also highlighted the importance of both drivers contributing to the team’s championship goals. “We need both drivers performing to contend for the constructors’ championship. You can’t rely on one car alone for the drivers’ title. Formula 1 is high-pressure, and Liam is aware of the time constraints. Hopefully, he’ll respond accordingly, and we’ll see what happens.”
