Red Bull Racing’s Liam Lawson finds himself under increasing scrutiny as Yuki Tsunoda’s public aspirations to join the senior team alongside Max Verstappen become more prominent. Following a lacklustre start to the season for Lawson, who was promoted to Red Bull at the beginning of the year amidst Sergio Perez’s struggles, the team’s uncertainty continues to grow, especially after Lawson’s disappointing performances, including being the slowest qualifier at both the sprint and grand prix in China, where he ultimately finished 15th.
After the race, Tsunoda enthusiastically responded to a question about potentially moving to Red Bull for his home race in Japan, stating, “Yeah, why not. Always,” clearly keen on the opportunity. This eagerness reportedly led to Tsunoda being swiftly pulled away from the media interaction by team officials, highlighting the delicate situation. The 24-year-old driver expressed confidence in his readiness to compete against Verstappen, which adds to the tension surrounding Lawson’s position, especially as Red Bull navigates the challenges of the season.
For Tsunoda, the conversation around his future with Red Bull has been an ongoing theme over the last five seasons, with many in the paddock labelling it a “cursed” seat due to the high turnover of drivers. Following Daniel Ricciardo’s exit in 2018, Red Bull has cycled through a number of competitors; the junior team in particular has faced fierce competition and pressure to perform.
As the Red Bull team seeks to recover from a lacklustre performance last season, where they surrendered the constructors’ title to McLaren, gaining valuable points from both drivers will be pivotal for their 2025 campaign. Verstappen’s recent performance oscillated from a second-place finish in Australia to a disappointing outing in China, underscoring the need for a strong second driver to support the team’s ambitions.
Across the paddock, similar dynamics are unfolding as Australian teammate Jack Doohan faces pressure from reserve driver Franco Colapinto, who is poised to make a bid for a seat in Firmeria. With the grid featuring six rookies this season, expectations are high for young drivers to deliver stellar performances, particularly in competitive teams eyeing championship titles. As Lawson seeks to solidify his place, the competition from Tsunoda and others could prove pivotal in defining his future with the team.