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Dangerous scenario for Red Bull? 'Then two could end up failing'
Former Formula 1 driver Christijan Albers has warned Red Bull against swapping Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Rumours emerged after the Chinese Grand Prix regarding a change Red Bull might make between Lawson and Tsunoda already, after the New Zealander qualified last for both the sprint and main race, failing to make headway in either.
However, Albers - speaking on De Telegraaf's F1 podcast - envisions that a swap this early may lead to an even worse situation: "I have to tell you, I don't like it."
Lawson has to have a chance
"At the beginning of the season, everyone agreed that Lawson was the right option. A lot of people agreed, and we just have to give him a chance. I just hope he doesn't break mentally. I have a little fear of that," he added.
Tsunoda started off the season strongly driving for Racing Bulls, making it through to every Q3 session so far this year, but only scored three points in the sprint in China after a poor strategy call from the team and a freak front-wing collapse.
Albers believes that the Japanese also having to deal with additional pressure from home support could also lead to another driver failing: "If I were Red Bull, I would never do that swap for Japan. Of course it's nice for Honda, but on the other hand, you don't know at all what Lawson can do, because he doesn't have much experience in Japan at all.
"Secondly, you put a lot of pressure on Tsunoda with Max. Then you also really have a serious problem, and then you can break him(mentally) as well. Then soon you'll have a big problem altogether, because then you'll have two drivers who don't like it anymore. And then? What are you going to do then?" Albers concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Estéban den Toom
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