Amidst a whirlwind season, a key driver reshuffle at Red Bull has caught the spotlight.
- Three Grand Prix races witnessed Liam Lawson’s challenging return with Racing Bulls.
- Yuki Tsunoda steps up, replacing Lawson in a bid to aid car development for Red Bull.
- Helmut Marko voices mixed reviews on Lawson’s performance and rookie teammate Isack Hadjar.
- Marko highlights Hadjar’s unexpected progress despite a rocky start.
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, the 2025 season has already been rife with drama, notably marked by a high-profile driver swap within the Red Bull camp. At the season’s onset, Liam Lawson faced a steep learning curve with the demanding RB21 vehicle at the top of the grid. Despite his efforts, Lawson struggled, exiting early in qualifying rounds in both Australia and China, which led to a strategic decision by Red Bull. The team opted to promote Yuki Tsunoda from Racing Bulls to join Max Verstappen, targeting car development as a priority, leveraging Tsunoda’s five-year experience in the field.
This strategic shuffle, while not yielding immediate triumphs, has seen Tsunoda secure a single points finish. On the other hand, Lawson, now redirected to Racing Bulls, has shown a best finish of twelfth. Yet, both drivers appear to be regaining their rhythm and confidence amidst these shifts.
Helmut Marko, senior advisor to Red Bull, shed light on Lawson’s current standing alongside rookie teammate Isack Hadjar in a column for Speedweek. According to Marko, Lawson has been performing admirably since his return, especially evident during the Jeddah circuit where he narrowly outperformed Hadjar. Marko stated, “Returning driver Liam Lawson is doing well. In Jeddah, he was a touch faster than Isack Hadjar, and in the race they were more or less on par. The New Zealander has settled in.”
Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar has emerged as a standout, according to Marko. Dubbed the revelation of the season’s first phase, Hadjar has consistently impressed despite his inexperience with many circuits. Marko’s praise is notable, highlighting Hadjar’s ability to maintain good lap times while managing race conditions with maturity, a significant improvement from his earlier tendency to react emotionally on the track. Marko emphasized that Hadjar’s calm demeanor and adaptability have been instrumental in addressing his prior weaknesses, particularly his temper, showcasing his potential as a formidable contender in Formula 1.
As the dynamic within the team continues to develop, it’s clear that both Lawson and Hadjar are adapting to their roles, supported by Marko’s observations. Through changing circumstances and responsibilities, the Racing Bulls team is navigating this transition with an emphasis on aligning their goals with emerging talent and expertise.
Time will tell if these strategic shifts yield the expected results.
