Red Bull team boss Christian Horner reflects on the first race weekend of the new season with mixed feelings. Max Verstappen secured a podium finish for the team at the Australian GP, but rookie Liam Lawson failed to finish his debut race with the main team. Meanwhile, Horner believes that Racing Bulls star Yuki Tsunoda showed promising signs with the junior team. Could we already be considering a driver swap?
According to Horner, Tsunoda drove “a very good race” in Melbourne, although his twelfth place did not earn any points. The Japanese driver must prove himself for the fifth consecutive year to be considered for promotion to the main team. In the run-up to 2025, former teammate Liam Lawson was given the benefit of the doubt; the New Zealander was called up to replace Sergio Pérez after just eleven Grands Prix.
“I thought Yuki (Tsunoda, ed.) drove a very good race again today,” Horner told the media at Albert Park Circuit. “I just didn’t understand why the team chose to put him on intermediates instead of slicks at one point. By that time, it was actually too late for a tire change, which somewhat squandered the chance for points. But there was a moment when I looked at the screens and saw that he was ahead of Charles Leclerc – that’s very good. Racing Bulls had a balanced car this weekend, so hopefully that will continue in China.”
Lawson Out, Tsunoda In?
The weekend was less successful for Red Bull debutant Liam Lawson. The new teammate of Max Verstappen failed to finish his first Grand Prix on behalf of the Austrians. “It was a tough weekend for him,” Horner admitted. “We adjusted the car by adding a bit more downforce. During the race, we also took a risk by keeping him out longer on slicks. He was already out of the points, so we thought, ‘We can take the gamble, maybe it will work out.’ At that moment, it started to rain harder.”
Lawson lost control and lightly crashed into the wall. “The only silver lining he can take from this is that he set the second-fastest lap time on dry tires,” said Horner. “If we have to mention something positive, it’s his speed on a dry track. The problem is that you’re already at a disadvantage if you don’t make it to Q3.” Lawson qualified in eighteenth place in Melbourne.
Red Bull may soon consider another driver swap. The team is known for its mid-season driver changes between the two teams. Last year, Lawson temporarily took over the seat from Racing Bulls driver Daniel Ricciardo. The 23-year-old New Zealander will need to improve soon to secure his spot for the rest of the season. “Next weekend will be tough,” Horner warned. “We’re running a sprint race on a circuit where he (Lawson) has never driven before. That being said, he’s quite resilient. This weekend was not representative of what he’s capable of,” concluded the Brit.
