Martin Brundle is stunned by the ‘mess’ Red Bull find themselves in after demoting Liam Lawson back to Racing Bulls and promoting Yuki Tsunoda for the Japanese GP.
A crisis meeting at their factory in Milton Keynes this Thursday brought official confirmation that Tsunoda will partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull from his home race. Red Bull believed Lawson would not turn around his difficult start to the term and is out after just two rounds.
It marks a quick turnaround by Red Bull, too, having rejected Tsunoda when replacing Sergio Perez last December and promoted Lawson from Racing Bulls. Helmut Marko claimed at the time Tsunoda lacked the mental strength to be Verstappen’s teammate, but now gets a shot.
Their speedy change in driver line-up came as Red Bull grew frustrated with Lawson’s lack of progress adapting to the RB21. The 23-year-old also struggled to find ways to potentially get to grips with the tricky car, which even Verstappen has criticised the inconsistent balance of.
Martin Brundle warns Red Bull that Max Verstappen’s future is their next problem after axing Liam Lawson
But Brundle does not feel Red Bull are out of the woods after demoting Lawson back to their sister team, Racing Bulls. The Kiwi had crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix on slick tyres in wet conditions before being slowest in both qualifying sessions at the Chinese Grand Prix.
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Instead, the Sky Sports F1 pundit has warned Red Bull that Verstappen’s future might be the next problem team principal Christian Horner has to handle. Brundle senses Verstappen has been looking around at other F1 teams, adding to the ‘mess’ of Red Bull’s driver conundrum.
“Red Bull uniquely have a junior team on the grid, so it’s doubly confusing they are in such a mess with drivers,” Brundle said on X. “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.”
Max Verstappen has held talks with Mercedes and Aston Martin
Brundle’s warning could ring true at Red Bull as Verstappen’s camp held talks with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently. With George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli both out of contract after this season, the Silver Arrows’ team principal has launched a charm offensive.
Mercedes are not the only team to retain an interest in tempting the Dutchman to break out of his contract through 2028, either. Verstappen had talks about joining Aston Martin earlier this year amid claims of a £1bn offer from the Silverstone-based crew led by Lawrence Stroll.
Additionally, Verstappen is keeping close tabs on Aston Martin given the problems he has so far faced this year with Red Bull’s car. It is possible that the RB21’s sharp front end and loose rear designed for Verstappen could be what cost Lawson his seat and the Dutchman his title.
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