Red Bull Racing has admitted that they made a mistake in selecting Liam Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda for the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The team’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, revealed that the decision to promote Lawson to partner Max Verstappen was ultimately the wrong call, leading to a swift reversal after just two races.
Marko acknowledged that while Lawson is a talented driver, Red Bull underestimated Tsunoda’s development and maturity. As a result, Lawson has been moved back to Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri), while Tsunoda has been given a full-season opportunity in Red Bull’s top team.
Why Red Bull Chose Lawson Initially
Heading into the 2025 season, Red Bull believed Lawson was the better option to support Verstappen. After impressing as a substitute driver in 2023, Lawson was seen as a promising young talent. Meanwhile, Tsunoda, who had been with Red Bull’s junior team since 2021, was still viewed as inconsistent.
However, the decision quickly backfired. Lawson struggled in his first two races, qualifying 18th in Australia and crashing out of the race. In China, he started last in both the sprint and the Grand Prix, finishing 14th and 12th. In contrast, Tsunoda performed well at Racing Bulls but was let down by poor strategy.
Marko Admits Red Bull Misjudged Tsunoda
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Marko admitted Red Bull made the wrong choice.
“We thought Lawson was ready, but we underestimated how much Tsunoda had improved. He has become a much stronger personality, with more confidence and maturity.”
Marko added that Tsunoda’s recent performances convinced the team that he was the better option.
“Tsunoda made a big step. He did two very good races, but his strategy didn’t work at Racing Bulls. With his experience, he is now better prepared for the Red Bull seat.”
A Tough Blow for Lawson
For Lawson, the demotion is a difficult setback. The 23-year-old New Zealander had dreamed of racing for Red Bull, and he admitted that losing his seat was tough to accept.
“Being a Red Bull Racing driver has been my dream since I was a kid,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’m grateful for everything that brought me here, and I’ll keep fighting.”
Despite the disappointment, Red Bull insists that Lawson’s F1 career is far from over. Marko pointed to past Red Bull drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who bounced back after being dropped.
“Lawson is not out of F1. Racing Bulls will give him the chance to rebuild his confidence and career.”
Why Didn’t Red Bull Sign Sainz?
Red Bull’s driver decisions have been questioned, especially since they could have signed Carlos Sainz last year. Instead, the team extended Sergio Perez’s contract until 2026, a move that later proved to be a mistake.
Marko admitted that Red Bull miscalculated:
“In hindsight, we could have made a different decision. At the start of last year, Perez was performing well, but later, his performance dropped.”
Concerns Over Verstappen’s Future
While Red Bull remains focused on securing a fifth championship for Max Verstappen, there are growing concerns that he may leave if the team does not remain competitive.
Marko confirmed that Verstappen has a performance clause in his contract, meaning he could leave if Red Bull fails to deliver a winning car.
“We know that if we don’t deliver for Max, all top drivers have performance clauses. Our goal is to make sure he gets a car where he can win.”
A Panic Move?
Interestingly, Verstappen himself may have hinted at his opinion on Lawson’s demotion. He liked an Instagram post from former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, which described Red Bull’s decision as a “panic move.”
With the Japanese Grand Prix coming up on April 6, all eyes will be on Tsunoda to see if he can prove that Red Bull made the right choice the second time around. Meanwhile, Lawson will look to recover and fight for another shot at a top seat in the future.
