Martin Brundle, the former F1 driver turned pundit, has been left bewildered by Red Bull Racing’s decision-making regarding their driver lineup. In a surprising move, Red Bull demoted Liam Lawson to their junior team after only two rounds of the 2025 F1 season, creating a stir in the racing community.
Red Bull’s attempt to replace Sergio Perez led them to promote Lawson to the main team from their junior division, Racing Bulls. However, despite Lawson having only partaken in 11 Grands Prix, the experiment was abruptly concluded. Red Bull’s advisor, Helmut Marko, indicated that the team’s strategy was to revert their sister team to a nurturing ground for emerging talent, which seemed counterintuitive given their previous elevation of Lawson.
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, who was considered a reliable figure in the junior ranks, has now been given the nod to join the Red Bull Racing lineup. This role swap has not found favor with Brundle, who remains skeptical about Red Bull’s choices, especially since they command two teams. Brundle expressed his confusion on X, commenting on their ‘mess’ with drivers and the uncertain future facing their apparent star performer.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, defended the decision, suggesting that it was made with Lawson’s professional development in mind. He acknowledged Lawson’s struggles with the RB21 car and cited the need for experienced input to enhance the vehicle’s performance. Tsunoda’s expertise is expected to be crucial in this ongoing development journey, while Lawson returns to a more familiar setting at Racing Bulls to accumulate more experience.
Despite the setback, Brundle remains optimistic about Lawson’s potential. He advised the young driver to embrace this moment as an opportunity to showcase his inherent skills without pressure, considering his current status leaves him with nothing to lose. Lawson’s next challenge at the well-known Suzuka track offers him a stage to regain his footing and make a lasting impression.
While Red Bull’s driver dynamics have left many, including Martin Brundle, scratching their heads, there seems to be a method to the perceived madness. As the F1 season unfolds, the effectiveness of these strategic maneuvers will become apparent.
