Martin Brundle has reacted to Red Bull dropping Liam Lawson and replacing the struggling Formula 1 driver with Yuki Tsunoda.
Lawson had a difficult start to his season. The opening race in Australia saw the driver with minimal time to become accustomed to his RB21 due to turbo issues earlier that weekend. Qualifying 18th, he later crashed out of the race that was plagued by rain.
China was no better for the New Zealander who qualified 20th for the Grand Prix and finished 12th after three disqualifications ahead of him. While experienced team-mate Max Verstappen also struggled with the car, he landed his machinery on the podium behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. This resulted in a meeting of Red Bull management following the Shanghai campaign, and Lawson was confirmed to be leaving the team for Racing Bulls the following week.
Tsunoda, who has been fighting for a seat in the leading team for four years, now stands beside Verstappen in Red Bull colours.
“It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and, as a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch,” team chief Christian Horner admitted in a press release.
“We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers’ Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors’ title and this is a purely sporting decision.
“We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car. We welcome him to the team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21.
Martin Brundle
Photo by: Getty Images
“We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well.”
This sudden change in driver lineup has sparked comments from the wider motorsports community. One such reaction comes from former racing driver-turned-pundit Martin Brundle, who admitted that “Lawson’s reputation is temporarily trashed.”
He posted the following to X (formerly Twitter):
“Red Bull uniquely has a junior team on the grid so it’s doubly confusing they are in such a mess with drivers. And their only driver they desperately need appears to be casting around for the future.
“Liam Lawson’s reputation is temporarily trashed and he has nothing to lose now. He should turn that into an advantage and let his natural talent flow.”
This is just one of many negative reactions as Red Bull looks to improve on its poor season start in the Japanese Grand Prix which takes place next weekend.
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