Yuki Tsunoda is due to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull from the Japanese Grand Prix but Ralf Schumacher thinks he will be making a mistake moving up from Racing Bulls.
Red Bull believe they have seen enough from Lawson after just two outings with the team to axe the Kiwi. The 23-year-old has failed to adjust to their tricky RB21 since replacing Sergio Perez and is one of six drivers still to score a point amid an underwhelming start to the term.
Lawson crashed out of his Red Bull debut running slick tyres in wet conditions at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. He was even the slowest driver in both qualifying sessions at the Chinese Grand Prix, where a change in set-up failed to see Lawson rise through the field.
Now, Red Bull are effectively admitting they made a mistake by snubbing Tsunoda to replace Perez in favour of Lawson with the 24-year-old expected to step up from Racing Bulls for the Japanese GP. Extra financial support by Honda has helped Tsunoda earn the Red Bull seat.
Ralf Schumacher thinks Yuki Tsunoda is making a mistake with Racing Bulls’ 2025 car ‘better’ than Red Bull’s
Yet while Red Bull want Tsunoda to replace Lawson from his home race in round three of the 2025 Formula 1 season – with the Kiwi likely to re-join Racing Bulls – Schumacher would tell the Kanagawa native to stay in Faenza as it will not benefit him by moving to Milton Keynes.
Racing Bulls’ VCARB 02 proving to be a nicer car to drive than Red Bull’s RB21 over the early races convinces Schumacher that Tsunoda should stay in Faenza. Red Bull’s challenger has a far smaller operating window and is designed for Max Verstappen to extract its potential.
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Schumacher told F1-Insider: “If I were Tsunoda’s manager I wouldn’t recommend him going to Red Bull. The Racing Bulls car is currently better and Tsunoda is handling it very well. He’s not doing himself any favours by moving to Red Bull.”
Yuki Tsunoda must take his Red Bull opportunity after Honda distanced its support
Red Bull built the RB21 on Verstappen’s feedback as Perez offered little insight into how they should improve their package during what proved to be the Mexican’s final season in Milton Keynes last year. Now, Lawson is set to pay the price for racing a car created for Verstappen.
Tsunoda is likely to battle the same challenges with Red Bull’s car that Lawson has, too, with the Kanagawa native’s expected step up from Racing Bulls. But while Schumacher is against the switch, it is in Tsunoda’s interest to accept the task of partnering Verstappen at Red Bull.
While Honda has helped Tsunoda get the seat, the Japanese brand is parting ways with Red Bull after this year with Aston Martin becoming their factory engine crew. Tsunoda is also in the final year of his Racing Bulls contract, so may face an uncertain future if not for Red Bull.
Honda recently distanced itself from supporting Tsunoda’s career any more after signing him as an academy prospect in 2016. Aston Martin are even locked in with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll through at least 2026, so Tsunoda could be without a drive if he fails at Red Bull.
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