Helmut Marko, a key figure in Red Bull Racing, has plans to offer the second Red Bull seat to a young driver in 2025. Sergio Pérez, who has been underperforming in terms of points and lagging behind his teammate Max Verstappen, is expected to make way. Red Bull drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson are both potential candidates for promotion – Marko anticipates a fierce competition for this coveted position in the main team.
In an interview, Helmut Marko explained that the team management intends to use the upcoming six Grand Prix races to ‘closely compare’ Tsunoda and Lawson. The New Zealander, who recently took over Daniel Ricciardo’s seat, has been mentioned for some time as a possible replacement for Sergio Pérez. On the other hand, Yuki Tsunoda is often ‘overlooked’, according to several experts.
“Yuki Tsunoda definitely has a chance to drive alongside Max (Verstappen) in 2025,” stated Helmut Marko. “The remaining races of this season will determine what our line-ups will look like next year. I can very well imagine that another young driver from our own training program will join Red Bull.”
Tsunoda versus Lawson
Before that happens, Liam Lawson must first prove himself alongside Yuki Tsunoda. The 22-year-old driver has not yet raced in any Grand Prix this year – he will make his debut in the upcoming race weekend in Austin. “We have decided to compare Lawson and Tsunoda,” said Helmut Marko. “They will have the same car, the same conditions, and the same six races to show who is the best.”
In 2023, Tsunoda and Lawson were teammates for five races; the latter replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo. When comparing the results of those five weekends, it appears that the differences between the two are minimal. Tsunoda was faster in the qualifiers four times, but Lawson finished ahead of the Japanese driver in four races.
