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Marko explains Red Bulls choices: 'He's fast, but impulsive'

10:00, 23 Dec 2024

byNicole Mulder

The driver line-ups for both Red Bull teams look different ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Max Verstappen will be partnered with Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing, while Yuki Tsunoda will remain at Racing Bulls with rookie Isack Hadjar alongside him. Team advisor Helmut Marko discusses both teams' driver choices.

Marko explains Red Bull and Racing Bulls choices

Recently, Marko explained the choice of the relatively inexperienced Lawson. "With his mental strength, Lawson is the one who can probably hold his own best alongside Max, because nobody can beat him at the moment. Due to his limited Grand Prix experience, we also see him as someone with the greatest potential for further development," he stressed again in conversation with Kleine Zeitung.

The 81-year-old Austrian can, of course, understand Tsunoda's disappointment at being passed over again for a promotion to the main team. Why wasn't the Japanese driver given that chance? "The decision was definitely disappointing for him. His speed is unquestionable, but he lacks consistency and is also a very emotional driver. The overall package was just right for Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda is the Racing Bulls' spearhead," Marko continued.

Tsunoda will be joined by Hadjar in 2025, who is making the big move from Formula 2 to F1. With that, RB has two drivers who certainly don't mince words, Marko also knows: "He is a very fast but also very impulsive driver, so that could be interesting for the team. However, with the promotion we have again clearly focused on getting drivers from our own Red Bull Junior Team through. I am sure this is the right path and Hadjar will confirm this."

This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica

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2 Comments

TheNewGrid 23 December 2024 at 11:11+ 119

I am sorry for Yuki; these are understandable reasons why they picked Lawson.
Still I hope Yuki remains driving in F1 in the years to come. Fast and a very likable person.

44-8xLegend 23 December 2024 at 12:48+ 33482

They are understandable if they are the genuine reasons.
Let's not forget RB have to PR this up to make it look like it he was 'the best candidate'. Something I don't buy into because I think Sainz and Tsunoda were better candidates performance and experience wise.

I still remain unconvinced that Lawson isn't just another race points collector and got the seat as he's not expected to be a threat to Max.
This spin RB are saying him taking it to Max, I don't and can't buy into.
Had RB taken Sainz, for example, I would have had to concede on that, providing RB gave Sainz full and equal opportunities and not put him on dodgy pit strategies to control his place in the race.

But, as I said, IF Marko is being genuine here (and for me that is a big IF), then yes, I can say it's understandable.
Let's see how Lawson turns out. Maybe he will surprise me. If he can, and RB allow him to race Max and even if he might beat Max on occasion, then I'll be the first to say I misjudged it. Let's see though.

I too would like Yuki to stay in F1, but I think he should do so outside of the RB umbrella now. That snub was a big one.