Red Bull Faces Firestorm of Criticism Over Shocking Lawson-Tsunoda Swap
Red Bull Racing is reeling from a tidal wave of backlash following their bombshell decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda after just two races in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The move, which has shattered records for the shortest driver tenure in the team’s history, has sparked fierce debate across the F1 community, with media, insiders, and even drivers piling on the criticism. As the dust settles, questions swirl around team principal Christian Horner’s leadership, the troubled RB21 car, and what this seismic shift means for Red Bull’s championship ambitions.
The saga began with high hopes for Lawson, a young Kiwi driver promoted to partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen. However, his stint was cut short after a dismal showing in Australia and China, where he qualified P20 twice and failed to score points. Horner justified the early swap, stating, “It’s been very difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21… Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car.” Yet, this explanation has failed to silence the critics, who argue the decision exposes deeper flaws within Red Bull’s strategy and machinery.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s veteran advisor, didn’t mince words, admitting the team misjudged their driver lineup. “Yuki was too inconsistent, that’s why we unanimously decided in favor of Lawson. But he wasn’t able to perform under the greater pressure… It was a mistake to pick Lawson,” Marko confessed. This rare admission of fault has only fueled the fire, with pundits questioning why Lawson wasn’t better prepared. Unlike Mercedes, who rigorously tested rookie Kimi Antonelli in older cars to ease his transition, Red Bull threw Lawson into the deep end with minimal prior testing in the notoriously tricky RB21. Former Aston Martin engineer Bernie Collins pointedly asked why Red Bull didn’t adopt a similar approach, noting, “He could have stepped into the car in a much stronger position.”
The RB21 itself is under scrutiny, with both Lawson and Verstappen labeling it difficult to drive. Lawson’s struggles highlight a car tailored to Verstappen’s unique style, leaving the second seat a poisoned chalice for less experienced drivers. Social media erupted when ex-F1 driver Ralf Schumacher called the pressure on Lawson “bullying,” a post liked by Verstappen, Pierre Gasly, Oscar Piastri, and Nico Hulkenberg—signaling widespread discontent with Red Bull’s handling of the situation. Lawson’s emotional farewell on Instagram, thanking supporters and expressing gratitude despite the setback, only deepened the narrative of a promising talent unfairly discarded.
Now, all eyes turn to Tsunoda as he steps into the hot seat for the Japanese Grand Prix. With five years of F1 experience, he’s a safer bet to wrestle the RB21 into contention, but his inconsistent past raises doubts. If he outperforms Lawson—now back at Racing Bulls in a more forgiving car—Red Bull might dodge further embarrassment. Yet, if Tsunoda falters, the spotlight will intensify on Horner and the team’s inability to field a competitive second driver alongside Verstappen, who remains just eight points off the championship lead despite the car’s mediocrity.
This saga lays bare Red Bull’s fall from grace—from dominating 21 of 22 races in 2023 to scrapping as the fourth-fastest team in 2025. As Verstappen pushes to fix the RB21’s woes, the pressure mounts on Horner to steady the ship. Will this gamble pay off, or has Red Bull’s impulsive driver swap set the stage for a season of regret? The answers start in Japan.
