Red Bull in Turmoil: Marko Slams Driver Swap and Newey’s Exit as RB21 Struggles
The Formula 1 world is reeling from Red Bull’s dramatic decision to axe Liam Lawson after just two races, replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. This unprecedented move, confirmed on Thursday, has sparked intense debate, with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko openly admitting the team’s misstep in promoting the young New Zealander. However, the driver swap is just the tip of the iceberg—Marko’s scathing remarks reveal deeper cracks within Red Bull, particularly following the departure of design genius Adrian Newey, as the team grapples with an uncompetitive RB21 car.
Red Bull’s unique position as the only F1 organization with two teams—Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls—grants them the flexibility to interchange drivers, a luxury their rivals, like McLaren’s Zak Brown, have long criticized. This advantage allows Red Bull to groom talent in a low-pressure environment before elevating them to the main team.
Yet, their decision to promote Lawson, who had only 11 races of experience, over the seasoned Tsunoda, with four full seasons and 90 Grand Prix weekends, backfired spectacularly. Marko didn’t hold back, labeling Lawson a “battered boxer” unable to handle the pressure from day one in Australia. “Yuki was too inconsistent,” Marko told OE24, explaining the initial choice of Lawson. “But he wasn’t able to perform under the greater pressure… it was a mistake.”
The RB21’s performance issues compound Red Bull’s woes. Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, has publicly criticized the car’s difficult handling, noting that Red Bull engineers have built a machine only he can master. Tsunoda, set to debut for Red Bull at his home race in Suzuka, faces a daunting challenge with a car that struggles to compete with McLaren’s dominant pace. Marko acknowledged Tsunoda’s growth, telling Autosport, “Yuki is a different Yuki… he’s in the form of his life,” citing his maturity and improved approach. However, with new technical regulations looming in 2026, Red Bull must balance development resources, potentially leaving Verstappen and Tsunoda stuck with a subpar car for the season.
The loss of Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin this month after leaving Red Bull in May 2024, looms large. Newey’s designs were instrumental in Red Bull’s past dominance, with the 2023 RB19 winning 95.8% of races that season. Marko admitted, “Of course we’re missing a man like that… Newey isn’t someone Red Bull can just replace.” Despite team principal Christian Horner downplaying Newey’s impact, the RB21’s lackluster performance tells a different story. Verstappen’s recent visit to the Milton Keynes factory underscored the urgency, with Marko noting the meeting focused on addressing the champion’s criticisms of the car’s balance.
As Red Bull scrambles to fix the RB21, the team faces a critical test. Can Tsunoda deliver where Lawson faltered, or will he too succumb to the “poisoned chalice” of being Verstappen’s teammate? With McLaren leading the constructors’ championship, Red Bull’s struggles highlight the cost of mismanagement and the void left by Newey. The next few races will be pivotal—failure to adapt could see Red Bull’s championship hopes slip away, leaving fans and rivals alike watching closely.
