Hamilton in jibe at Red Bull: 'Not surprised to see from them'
09:33, 03 Apr
Updated: 10:44, 03 Apr
16 Comments
Lewis Hamilton has conceded he is "not surprised" by Red Bull's "harsh" decision to drop Liam Lawson after only two Formula 1 races with the team.
Lawson was chosen as Sergio Perez's replacement alongside Max Verstappen after the Mexican's continued struggles showed no sign of improving.
But the New Zealander crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix and then qualified slowest of all for both the Chinese Grand Prix sprint and main race, leaving Red Bull to pull the trigger early and promote Yuki Tsunoda.
It means the Japanese driver will be Verstappen's sixth teammate at the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with Lawson the third not to reach a second full season.
With Nyck de Vries jettisoned after 11 races in 2023, Lawson is the second Red Bull-affiliated driver within two years to lose his seat before halfway through a season.
'Two races is pretty harsh'
Asked for his thoughts on the Lawson-Tsunoda swap ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton replied: "I am not surprised to see [it from] them[Red Bull].
"I don't really have any views on it.
"Both great drivers. I think we have got a lot of really great drivers here, particularly young, talented drivers.
"I think there's naturally a lot of pressure on youngsters coming in.
"There is no way you can fully get on top of a car which is known to not be the easiest car to drive.
"Just to give him two races is pretty harsh."
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Lewis came to F1 at 22, a year younger than Liam is now, and still had no experience in F1. In his first race he finished on the podium ahead of the reigning champion.
Liam got his chance, and it took 2 races to show that RB made a mistake with his choice. Yes, it was cruel, but Liam can only blame himself.
Lawson would likely have been giving a few more races in the RB to show what he can do if the 3rd race of the year was not in Japan.
Honda has paid RB many millions of $$ to have Yuki in the RB car for the tremendous marketing that would bring, so his promotion was fast tracked.
With just 5 races in '23 (pos. 13-11-9-11-17) and 6 in '24 (9-16-9-16-14-dnf) it was a huge mistake by Red Bull to put Liam in the RB21. If the choice was between Liam and Yuki, it's insane they went for Liam.
To correct their mistake after 2 races is harsh for Liam, but the only correct thing to do. Let's see if Yuki can drive that horrible car.
Agree with Lewis on this one. But it was also harsh on Carlos to be replaced at Ferrari. Carlos was performing and a excellent team player.
Life is not fair. And I know that Lewis with the experience that he brings is a much bigger asset then Carlos but at the end of the day a decision was made. People just need to except it and move on.
Intresting comparison. Would you agree that Sianz didn't have just 2 races at Ferrari, to get a handle on the car. He was blessed to have many season's. Some would say he had more than a fair opportunity to make Ferrari keep him vs Lawson who had 2 races . One race it Rained and the other was sprint race weekend with just one FP session. Then you have the fact Lawson and Max drove different cars for those 2 races. https://www.planetf1.com/features/rb21-red-bull-technical-differences-max-verstappen-liam-lawson
Well would you agree that Sianz performance compair to Lewis performance didn't justify what happened to Carlos?.
And at least Liam raced two races at Redbull and is still in F1. That's more then what Mick can say.
Ferrari is renowned for making terrible mistakes especially the last couple of years. I'm not saying Lewis was a terrible mistake, but if it doesn't work out and Lewis performance is not up to standard then Ferrari will look like fools.
Okay what does the data say 🤔
Carlos Sainz (Ferrari, 2021-2024)
Wins: 4
Poles: 6
Podiums: 25
Best Championship Finish: 5th
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 2021-2024)
Wins: 9
Poles: 5
Podiums: 39
Best Championship Finish: 2nd
So you still think that Sianz shouldn't have been let go based on results ?
Mic raced at Haas for 2 seasons and he wasn't material for Mercedes. They made a firm decision and thats good both for Mercedes and the driver. Would you rather have Mick treated the way RedBull has treated Lawson?
So you want to compare the fastest car of 2021 to the 3rd fastest car. Take away 2021 and let's talk again. 2022 to 2024 the Ferrari and Mercedes was on par with one another. Compare Apples with apples and not apples with bananas.
"So you want to compare the fastest car of 2021 to the 3rd fastest car." > So drivers like Max need to be looked at less credibility as they races in the fastest car ? <
So lets "Take away 2021 and let's talk again. 2022 to 2024 the Ferrari and Mercedes was on par with one another. Compare Apples with apples and not apples with bananas"> So based on car performance we also rule out 2022 & 2024 as Ferrari > Mercedes?
"So drivers like Max need to be looked at less credibility as they races in the fastest car ?"
Let's do that. 2022 Ferrari was the fastest up until the flex floor hox. 2023 yes Redbull always way faster then any other team. 2024 McLaren clear fastest car but unfortunately Norris couldn't capitalised.
Now let's go back to between 2014 and 2021. Seven years of completing dominance from mercedes and yet Rosberg "stole" one title from Lewis. 2021 mercedes and Redbull was very close up until Bottas tested engines for Lewis. I'm not saying Lewis didn't deserve all the titles but if you want to downplay max titles then you need to start at the beginning of the hybrid engine advantage.
The best drivers in the grid normally get the best equipment. That's why Lewis and max capitalised on the opportunities that they got. Racing is not for the weak minded. Racing is brutal. Teams need to be more aggressive when a driver don't perform. We sit in a situation were drivers "buy " seats and take it away from other related drivers. What Redbull did was extremely harsh but it was needed. The fact that they could send Liam back to RB makes it justifiable for me. At least he is not without a seat and he can now sharpen his skills under less pressure. And yes I do think Redbull made a mistake by putting Liam next to max.
"if you want to downplay max titles" I didn't you did mate .
So lets get back to may post Sianz Vs Hamilton the data : Carlos Sainz (Ferrari, 2021-2024)
Wins: 4
Poles: 6
Podiums: 25
Best Championship Finish: 5th
*Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, 2021-2024)
Wins: 9
Poles: 5
Podiums: 39
Best Championship Finish: 2nd
So it's clear right ✅️
That's not impressive.
Lewis got 8 wins in 2021 with the fastest car.
Tell me again how many wins Lewis got 2022 and onwards.
You needed to add 2021 in so that the stats don't look so dull. Why in earth would you add a season with an old spec car. Ooohhh so it fits your narrative. Same old vegan with her previously band account up to her old ways of debating again.
Fully agree. Fact was, they could get the 7 times wdc (next to their golden boy) . . . simply an offer to could not pass.
Tough luck for Carlos, but a totally sound decision from a Ferrari point of view.
Any team would take the opportunity to sign Lewis just as they will take the opportunity to sign max if they get the chance. So the signing of Lewis to Ferrari is a no brainer. Opportunity was there and it happened. But it was hash on Carlos just as it's harsh on Liam to be "demoted." For me the narrative of Redbull being "unfair" towards Liam is the same as Ferrari being "unfair" towards Carlos yet I believe in both instances the correct steps was taken.
Let me play devils advocate here. I agree with Lewis and the rest of the F1 family, that Liam should have been given more races at Red Bull. 2 Races is a disgrace. To me...Liam's name ran ahead of him. Saw a lot of Liam's interviews. The man was just gloating to much, for someone who has never driven the RB. He reminded me of George, when George made the move to Mercedes. Just gloating a lot before the season even started.
"Just to give him two races is pretty harsh." Yes, have to agree with Lewis there.