How Red Bull Racing's next 'problems' are already emerging
General
- Ludo van Denderen
When team principal Christian Horner and external advisor Helmut Marko met in Milton Keynes last Monday to talk about Sergio Perez's future at Red Bull Racing, it was not the only point of discussion. There were also discussions about talents Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad. All three are emphatically knocking on Formula 1's door, but where does Red Bull leave them?
For Liam Lawson, the future at Red Bull is fairly black and white. Either the New Zealander gets a seat at Visa Cash App RB (Red Bull Racing's sister team) next season or he is contractually free to go wherever he wants. That there are apparently internal doubts about the driver's qualities is by now clear.
Otherwise, it cannot be explained why Lawson was not given the chance to replace the old Daniel Ricciardo at the start of '24, just as he should remain on the reserve bench after the current summer break. Nor is the 22-year-old a clear favourite for '25. No one will be surprised if VCARB decides to continue with Ricciardo alongside Yuki Tsunoda for another year after this season. Or perhaps there is another person on the list someone so not named Lawson?
Hadjar ever closer to title in Formula 2
Saying goodbye to Lawson, it is obvious that the role of first test and reserve driver at Red Bull will be taken over by Isack Hadjar. Horner and Marko have been full of praise for this 19-year-old lately. Not unfairly, as the French-Algerian driver is currently leading the Formula 2 championship and has certainly stood out in recent weeks with some rock-solid races. If he finally manages to crown himself champion, he will not be allowed to drive in F2 for another year.
In that case, Red Bull faces a small problem. Especially at his age, Hadjar needs to race regularly, as that is the way he can develop best and fastest. But where then? A temporary move to Japanese Super Formula - as Lawson did earlier - is an option in that case, but Japan is not next door. With an adventure on the other side of the world, Hadjar cannot also be a full-time test and reserve driver for both Red Bull Racing and VCARB. But a whole year on the sidelines is not pleasant either - just ask Lawson.
Hadjar the outsider for VCARB?
Red Bull's delay in appointing a driver alongside Tsunoda for 2025 may have something to do with the fact that Horner and Marko first want to wait and see what happens to Hadjar: If he becomes champion, isn't he the best option for the future to put him in the VCARB car straight away? And if he does not take the title, then Hadjar can start a new season in F2, in addition to being further trained within Red Bull to become a full-time F1 driver. With Ricciardo, an alternative is available as a bridge until Hadjar is allowed to step in.
However, there is another complicating factor, Arvid Lindblad. The Briton is only 16 years old, but has made an overwhelming impression in Formula 3 this season. It seems certain that the youngster will compete in Formula 2 in 2025 (in addition to a role as a test and reserve driver for the Red Bull teams) and if he does well again in this class, Lindblad could just be a '26 option for a seat at VCARB. But then what about Hadjar or possibly even Lawson?
All in all, there is a huge puzzle before Horner and Marko: Who should and can drive where in '25, and in whom do the Austrians see a golden future? In any case, choices made now are going to have a major impact on Red Bull's long-term future.