Just two races into the Formula 1 season, speculation has already arisen about the driver in Red Bull`s second seat.
Reports suggest Red Bull is seriously considering swapping Liam Lawson with Racing Bulls` Yuki Tsunoda as early as the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. This follows a difficult start to the season for Lawson, who stepped in for Sergio Perez just three months prior. Team boss Christian Horner has often described this seat as the `hardest in Formula 1`.
The F1 Show team, including Simon Lazenby, Ted Kravitz, and Bernie Collins, discussed Lawson`s future and Red Bull`s potential strategies after the Chinese Grand Prix. The conversation revolved around the challenges of driving alongside world champion Max Verstappen.
Collins commented on Lawson`s initial performances compared to Verstappen, noting significant time differences in qualifying. She highlighted Verstappen`s exceptional ability to maximize the car`s potential, consistently deliver under pressure, and minimize errors.
Collins referenced Christian Horner`s interview where he mentioned the team`s car development direction, influenced by Verstappen`s driving style. This has resulted in a car that is challenging for other drivers due to its sensitive and edgy handling.
Collins questioned the long-term implications of this development path and whether Red Bull can find a successful driver for the second seat given the car`s specific characteristics.
The F1 Show team further analyzed Hamilton`s Sprint victory, Ferrari`s disqualifications, Piastri`s performance, the McLaren team rivalry, Mercedes` form, and answered fan questions.
Despite Lawson`s lack of prior experience at the Australian and Chinese circuits, and Verstappen acknowledging the 2025 Red Bull as demanding, Lawson recognized the need to quickly adapt and improve his performance.
Kravitz argued for giving Lawson more time, especially considering his familiarity with the Suzuka circuit, venue for the Japanese Grand Prix, from his previous F1 and Super Formula experience in 2023. He emphasized the difficulty of the initial races for Lawson at unfamiliar and challenging tracks.
Collins reiterated concerns about Lawson`s limited testing in older Red Bull cars before his promotion. She suggested Red Bull might have needed a different approach in selecting Perez`s replacement, considering the current car`s demanding nature.
Collins pointed out the car`s `forward aero balance` and its distinct handling compared to the Racing Bulls car. She proposed that Red Bull should have evaluated young drivers based on their adaptability to this specific driving style. Collins even suggested a test with an older Red Bull car to assess drivers` lap times as a more relevant metric.
She used Alex Albon as an example, who struggled at Red Bull but is now performing strongly at Williams, potentially indicating a better fit with different car characteristics.
Collins concluded by highlighting the performance gap between Verstappen and the second driver, stating that without Verstappen, Red Bull might currently perform as the tenth-fastest team.
The Formula 1 season continues at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit.
