Liam Lawson has been dropped as a Red Bull driver after just two races. The New Zealander, who finished sixteenth in the GP China, has to hand over his RB21 to Yuki Tsunoda. But how long will the Japanese driver be given to prove himself? Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko reveals Tsunoda’s ‘deadline’.
The early driver swap within the Red Bull family caused quite a stir this week. While Yuki Tsunoda finally received the long-awaited promotion to Red Bull, Liam Lawson was demoted to Racing Bulls after two Grand Prix. Advisor Helmut Marko emphasizes that the swap was also in the best interest of the New Zealander himself.
“We had to intervene before Liam completely lost his confidence,” Marko explains to Speedweek. “We must not forget that his career is not over. He is back driving for Racing Bulls, a team with a car that is always good for points. A car that is also much easier to drive, and a team where he doesn’t have to compete against Max Verstappen.”
End of the Season
The more experienced Tsunoda, who is in his fifth season in Formula 1, will be given more time to prove himself as Max Verstappen’s teammate, according to Marko. The Red Bull advisor reveals that the Japanese driver is allowed to drive for Red Bull ‘until the end of the season’. “We believe he can do it,” Marko told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Tsunoda has made a big step. He has more confidence and he has already driven two very good races this year.”
