Yuki Tsunoda: The Right Choice for Red Bull’s Formula 1 Team
In a decisive move, Christian Horner has shown his determination to turn the page on last year’s controversies at Red Bull Racing. After just two races, Horner has replaced newcomer Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda, emphasizing that he will do whatever it takes to avoid a repeat of last season’s turmoil.
Horner’s no-nonsense approach was evident in the inaugural episode of the latest season of Drive to Survive, where he stated, “The buck stops with me.” Red Bull’s performance last season saw them finish third in the constructors’ championship, a year marred by accusations against Horner regarding “inappropriate behavior” from a female colleague. Although he was cleared by independent investigations, the team faced significant disruptions, including the departures of legendary designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
Max Verstappen, the team’s star driver, had to navigate through personal and professional chaos, including public disputes between his father Jos and Horner, while also managing a subpar car performance to secure his fourth consecutive world title.
Horner is clearly intent on moving past the scandal that plagued the team, though he faced reminders of the past when he was booed by fans at a recent F1 live event at the O2 in February. The competitive landscape has not forgotten either, as McLaren’s Zak Brown recently suggested that Horner should feel “vulnerable” in his position.
As Red Bull’s team principal, Horner has overseen an impressive tally of eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships. However, the current season poses challenges that could jeopardize those achievements. The team has a history of drivers struggling to adapt to a car designed primarily for Verstappen, as evidenced by the experiences of Sergio Perez and Alex Albon before Lawson.
The harsh reality of Red Bull’s driver management strategy, overseen by Horner and senior advisor Helmut Marko, has seen many talented drivers come and go since the team’s inception in 2005. Notable names such as Christian Klein, Scott Speed, Sebastien Bourdais, and Daniil Kvyat have all been part of this cycle.
Horner is now hoping that Verstappen can clinch another title with Tsunoda as his teammate. The second driver at Red Bull is often seen as a support role, always in the shadow of Verstappen, who, alongside Sebastian Vettel, has managed to escape the team’s often brutal management style.
In recent seasons, the statistics have shown the difficulty of being the second driver at Red Bull. For instance, Perez finished a staggering 285 points behind Verstappen before being replaced by Lawson. Even if Perez had only participated in the first two races of the season, Red Bull would still have secured a third-place finish in the standings.
Lawson’s debut was challenging, as he faced elimination in the first stage of qualifying for all three sessions, including the sprint race, and did not score any points. Verstappen has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Red Bull’s decision, especially as they currently trail reigning champions McLaren by 42 points, with Verstappen sitting second in the drivers’ championship, just eight points behind Lando Norris.
In a statement confirming the change, Horner remarked, “It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 in the first two races. As a result, we have collectively decided to make an early switch. We recognize that there is significant work ahead with the RB21, and Yuki’s experience will be invaluable in developing the current car.” He added, “We have a duty to protect and nurture Liam, and after such a tough start, making this change will help him gain experience in an environment he knows well.”
In a surprising move, Red Bull promoted Lawson from their junior team, Racing Bulls, after just 11 Grand Prix appearances, despite Tsunoda having more extensive experience. As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen whether history will repeat itself for Tsunoda.