Red Bull are in a spot of bother after deciding to change their 2025 Formula 1 driver line-up after just two races.
Liam Lawson has been demoted to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls after failing to qualify higher than 18th in three sessions or score a point.
He will be replaced by ex-teammate and the man who beat to the job in the first place – Yuki Tsunoda, whose first race for the team will be his home event at the Japanese Grand Prix.
It’s clear now that Red Bull’s driver development system is not working. They need a rehaul, and they need their most recent decision to pay dividends this time.
Will Buxton called Lawson’s Red Bull exit ‘laughable’ after he was given one wet race, and a sprint weekend to prove himself. It clearly wasn’t enough.
Meanwhile, Damon Hill sent Tsunoda a three-word message wishing him good luck ahead of his new gig. He may be able to secure his first Formula 1 podium now.
READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer is already worried about Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull after what he spotted in Racing Bulls data
Franz Tost campaigned ‘vehemently’ for Red Bull to sign Yuki Tsunoda before 2025 F1 season
In hindsight, Red Bull made the wrong choice to hire the 22-year-old Kiwi over their experienced Racing Bulls team leader.
Helmut Marko admitted it was Red Bull’s mistake to promote Lawson. Ralf Bach has now mentioned that ex-Racing Bulls boss Franz Tost campaigned for Tsunoda to be signed in the first place.
“Franz Tost who knows Red Bull and Racing Bulls and the whole Red Bull scenario well, also knows the drivers well,” he said.
“In his advisory capacity last winter, really campaigned vehemently for taking Yuki Tsunoda. In retrospect, he was right.”
Lawson was quicker than Verstappen at the Chinese Grand Prix in one key area before ending up 20th. He lost the majority of his time in just two corners. He had the potential.
Now he returns to a car which is believed to have a far wider operating window. It should yield better performance and an increase in confidence.
READ MORE: Liam Lawson’s imminent Red Bull exit sped up by two ‘aspects’ made clear at the Chinese Grand Prix
What are Red Bull going to do with their F1 driver line-up for 2026?
The 2026 F1 regulations are a significant set of rule changes for the direction that the sport is headed in. There could be new teams at the top.
One of the outfits trending in the wrong direction at the wrong time is Red Bull. Not only is their car regressing, but they appear to be lost off the track too.
If this keeps up, then expect to see Max Verstappen looking at options elsewhere in the future. His contract may end in 2028 but he wants to compete for titles.
Verstappen’s camp is holding talks with Red Bull rivals Mercedes after their recent struggles. It’s no surprise given the interest between the two shown last year.
It would be a big void for the Milton Keynes-outfit to fill. With someone like George Russell on the market, they could sign him, or they could continue to promote from within their academy – say, Arvid Lindblad?
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