BREAKING NEWS: Red Bull’s Handling of Liam Lawson’s Exit S…read more

Red Bull Faces Scrutiny Over Liam Lawson’s Sudden Dismissal

Red Bull’s swift decision to drop Liam Lawson after only two races has ignited fresh concerns about the team’s driver evaluation process, with critics questioning the reliability of their data analysis and long-term development strategy.

Lawson, who had been promoted to Red Bull following Sergio Perez’s departure, was abruptly demoted back to Racing Bulls after disappointing performances in Australia and China. His replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, had previously been overlooked for the role, raising doubts about the rationale behind Red Bull’s latest lineup change.

Criticism Over Red Bull’s Data-Driven Approach

Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft has openly questioned Red Bull’s decision-making, challenging whether the team truly relied on their performance data before making the abrupt switch.

“They had all the data from Racing Bulls, their sister team. They could compare Verstappen to Lawson, Tsunoda to Perez,” Croft pointed out. “They have all the necessary information, yet they seem to keep making the wrong choices.”

The timing of Lawson’s removal after just two races has fueled skepticism. “Why are they suddenly discarding that data now? And why bring in Tsunoda, whom they previously deemed unsuitable for the role?” Croft questioned.

Red Bull’s Talent Pipeline Faces Uncertainty

Beyond the immediate controversy surrounding Lawson’s exit, concerns are growing over Red Bull’s fading reputation as a leader in driver development. Once known for consistently producing top-tier talent, the team now appears to be struggling to sustain its pipeline.

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have been urged to reconsider their long-term strategy. “Where is the next wave of talent? How do we establish a more stable plan instead of making impulsive decisions that don’t benefit the team or the drivers?” Croft asked.

Red Bull, once compared to football clubs like Chelsea for stockpiling talent, now seems to be lacking drivers ready to step into their top team.

“Not everyone is a Max Verstappen, a Kimi Antonelli, or a Lewis Hamilton who can instantly adapt,” Croft noted. “Some drivers need time, just like Fernando Alonso did in his rookie season with Minardi.”

With Tsunoda set to take over Lawson’s seat at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull’s driver management strategy will be under intense scrutiny. If Tsunoda struggles to deliver, the team could face renewed criticism for its inconsistent approach.

The key question remains: Will Red Bull reevaluate its long-term driver development plan, or will its pattern of abrupt changes continue?