Horner hints at ANOTHER Red Bull driver transfer.....

Horner hints at ANOTHER Red Bull driver transfer…….read more

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hinted at the possibility of another driver change within the team, with one star potentially on “standby” for a promotion during the 2025 season if circumstances don’t unfold as planned. The announcement comes amid a week of driver news, which saw Liam Lawson promoted to fill Sergio Perez’s seat, while Isack Hadjar has secured his first full-time Formula 1 seat with Red Bull’s sister team, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. Hadjar, who finished as the runner-up in last season’s Formula 2 championship, narrowly missed the title but is now set to prove himself in F1 alongside Yuki Tsunoda, following Lawson’s rise.

Tsunoda, who has spent four full seasons with Red Bull’s junior team, may feel slightly aggrieved by Lawson’s promotion. While Lawson has only raced in 11 F1 Grands Prix, Tsunoda has consistently outperformed his teammates over the years, including beating the likes of Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Lawson during their brief tenures at the team. However, Lawson’s promotion ahead of Tsunoda has sparked questions, particularly about what the future holds for the 22-year-old Japanese driver.

Christian Horner explained why Lawson was selected over Tsunoda, noting that Lawson’s driving style aligns more closely with that of Red Bull’s star, Max Verstappen. According to Horner, Lawson has demonstrated a “gritty racer mentality” that resonates with the team. He cited Lawson’s time in the DTM (German Touring Car Masters), where he quickly adapted to driving a Ferrari GT car and showed impressive racecraft, often besting his teammate, Alex Albon. Horner praised Lawson’s resilience in wheel-to-wheel racing, stating that he is not afraid to get aggressive when needed, which he believes will benefit Red Bull in the future. Lawson’s work ethic and the positive feedback from the engineering team have further solidified his position.

However, Horner did not rule out a potential promotion for Tsunoda if Lawson fails to meet expectations next season. Red Bull is known for acting swiftly when a driver’s performance falters, and Horner acknowledged that Tsunoda is still very much part of the team’s plans. “It’s great to have Yuki still involved with the Racing Bull scene next year,” Horner remarked. “And of course, he’s on standby should he ever be required.”

This statement leaves the door open for Tsunoda to step into a more prominent role at Red Bull if Lawson struggles to deliver results in the 2025 season. Given Red Bull’s track record of quick decisions when it comes to driver performance, Tsunoda may be called upon to fill a seat if the situation demands it.