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Scathing Schumacher says Horner has "screwed up" in latest Red Bull change
A scathing Ralf Schumacher has criticised both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko massively after Liam Lawson was dropped by Red Bull Racing after just two Grands Prix in 2025, saying the team principal has "screwed up".
After battling each other out at Racing Bulls to end the 2024 season, the Austrian team made the move to replace Sergio Perez with Lawson, with the New Zealander joining Max Verstappen after just 11 Grands Prix in Formula 1. Many thought that it should be Yuki Tsunoda taking the second seat alongside the Dutchman after such a positive season at the sister team last year, but it was Lawson who was chosen to replace the Mexican for 2025.
However, a dreadful start to the season for the 23-year-old meant that after just two races, he will be demoted back down to Racing Bulls, while Tsunoda will now be promoted to Red Bull, starting with his home Grand Prix next weekend, the Japanese Grand Prix. Red Bull have been known for their ruthless and quick decision-making when it comes to their second drivers, but this change has been met with a lot of condemnation from fans and analysts from the world of F1.
Schumacher sees Red Bull playing a "fatal role"
Schumacher, who won six Grands Prix in his F1 career, had critical words for team boss Horner, but also said that Red Bull's advisor Marko is "playing a fatal role,” while speaking on Sky Sports Germany's podcast, 'Backstage Boxengasse'.
"Red Bull was once a top team – today it's sinking into mediocrity. What would the late Dietrich Mateschitz say about that?" continued the German, referencing the late owner of the Red Bull group who passed away on 22 October 2022.
Co-owner Mateschitz was always the figure in command at the Austrian team, but since his death, it has been Horner, backed by their Thai shareholders, who has taken the reigns, something that Schumacher is also very critical of.
"No stone will be left unturned! Horner has screwed up!" Schumacher exclaimed, while also saying that some of the decisions made by the Brit have resulted in big names like Adrian Newey leaving the team: "Personal power games have torn the team apart – now he's getting his comeuppance. A huge problem!"
This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen
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