Red Bull Racing: The Ruthless Decision to Shake Up Their Driver Lineup

Formula 1, often described as a sport where only the best survive, is also home to some of the most ruthless decision-making in the world of motorsport. Among the sport’s most dominant and successful teams, Red Bull Racing has built a reputation not only for its relentless pursuit of performance but also for its willingness to make dramatic driver changes when the results don’t meet expectations. The latest chapter in the team’s driver saga is unfolding, and it could have a profound impact on the careers of Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, two drivers currently battling for a seat at one of F1’s most prestigious teams.

The Struggles of Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda’s time at Red Bull Racing has been a series of highs and lows. Promoted from the AlphaTauri team, Tsunoda was expected to bring the consistency and speed needed to help Red Bull maintain its championship aspirations. However, his performance has failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed upon him.

Since his promotion, Tsunoda has earned a meager seven points, a catastrophic return for a team that has been dominating the F1 grid in recent years. His struggles stand in stark contrast to his previous success at AlphaTauri, where he was often a standout performer, regularly outshining drivers like Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat. His performances at AlphaTauri suggested that he had the potential to become a top driver, but his transition to the senior Red Bull team has revealed limitations in his driving.

An anonymous Red Bull engineer spoke candidly about the situation, acknowledging the difficulty of taming the RB21, a car that has proven to be a challenge for many drivers. While Max Verstappen continues to extract every ounce of performance from the car, the gap between him and Tsunoda has become glaring. “In a championship this tight, we need both cars scoring consistently,” the engineer said, pointing to the growing frustration within the team over Tsunoda’s lack of competitiveness.

Red Bull has built its success on a foundation of excellence, and a driver failing to deliver is not tolerated. The team’s internal assessment suggests that Tsunoda’s time at the senior team may be coming to an abrupt end, and this could happen sooner than anyone anticipated.

Liam Lawson’s Remarkable Return

While Tsunoda’s future appears uncertain, Liam Lawson’s career has taken a surprising turn for the better. After a brief and underwhelming stint at Red Bull earlier in the 2025 season, Lawson was demoted back to AlphaTauri. It seemed like a step backward for the New Zealand driver, and many assumed that his future with the Red Bull family was all but over.

However, Lawson’s determination and resilience have been on full display since his demotion. Rather than accepting his fate, Lawson has used his time at AlphaTauri to prove himself as a force to be reckoned with. The turning point in his career came during the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Lawson delivered a sensational performance by holding off none other than Max Verstappen, securing an impressive eighth-place finish. This was not merely about the result; it was a statement of intent from a driver who had no intention of being overlooked.

Team principal Laurent Meckis, who previously worked with Lawson at AlphaTauri, has been one of the key figures supporting his resurgence. Meckis, with his unique insight into both Tsunoda and Lawson’s capabilities, has been vocal in his admiration for the Kiwi driver. “Liam responded to the disappointment of being demoted in a way that most drivers would struggle to,” said a senior Red Bull figure. “That kind of mental resilience is rare and valuable, and it has impressed the entire team.”

Tsunoda’s Ticking Clock

Despite Lawson’s strong performances, Tsunoda’s future at Red Bull remains a question mark. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s notoriously blunt motorsport advisor, has made it clear that the Japanese driver needs to improve or risk losing his seat. Marko, who has built a reputation for making swift and sometimes brutal decisions regarding Red Bull’s driver lineup, offered a pointed remark: “Beating Max is currently impossible. Tsunoda should get the best out of himself and the team. At the moment, everything is open. We are looking at performances, both positive and negative.”

This statement, while not explicitly announcing a change, sent a clear message: Perform or be replaced. Red Bull has a long history of ruthlessly cycling through drivers who do not meet expectations, from Daniel Kvyat’s demotion to make way for Verstappen to the more recent cases of Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon. It’s a pattern that shows Red Bull prioritizes performance above all else.

Strategic Imperatives for 2026

The potential decision to replace Tsunoda with Lawson comes at a time of great strategic importance for Red Bull Racing. With the 2026 regulations set to bring a complete overhaul of both the chassis and power unit rules, Red Bull must start planning for the future. Verstappen’s position at the team is secure, but the second seat represents a critical strategic decision. The team needs a driver who can contribute to their success in the long term.

The question facing Red Bull is whether to stick with Tsunoda in the hope that he can improve or to bring in Lawson, who is currently riding a wave of renewed confidence and momentum. Red Bull has historically favored promoting young talent from within its ranks, and Lawson’s resurgence has made him a compelling option.

One factor that could further complicate the decision is the emergence of Arvid Lindblad, a young British-Swedish driver who has been impressing in Formula 2. Red Bull has a history of promoting drivers from its junior program, and Lindblad could be seen as the future of the team. Some within Red Bull believe that Lindblad could be ready for a seat at AlphaTauri in 2026, which could open the door for Lawson to move up to Red Bull and Tsunoda to exit the program entirely.

The Unforgiving Nature of Formula 1

For Tsunoda, the stakes couldn’t be higher. If he loses his seat at Red Bull, his options within the organization could be limited. Unlike other drivers who have been demoted, Tsunoda may not have a clear path back to AlphaTauri. Marko has previously stated that there’s no point in bringing back a driver who has already spent several years with the team, suggesting that Tsunoda’s future within the Red Bull family could be over.

At just 25 years old, Tsunoda could be facing the end of his Formula 1 career, a harsh reality in a sport where performance is the ultimate currency. On the other hand, Lawson is on the verge of an incredible second chance. Few drivers ever get the opportunity to return to a top team after being relegated, and Lawson’s recent performances have shown that he is not the same driver who struggled earlier in the year.

The Final Decision

The decision about Red Bull Racing’s driver lineup will ultimately rest with Meckis and the leadership team, who must balance the immediate performance needs with long-term strategic goals. The fact that Meckis has worked closely with both Tsunoda and Lawson gives him a unique insight into their strengths and weaknesses, which may be tipping the scales in Lawson’s favor.

As Red Bull faces increasing pressure from rivals McLaren and Ferrari, the need for both cars to perform consistently has never been more urgent. Verstappen’s brilliance may mask the shortcomings of the car, but Tsunoda’s struggles have exposed the vulnerabilities in Red Bull’s lineup. The team must act quickly to make the right choice, and all eyes will be on Red Bull as they prepare for what could be one of the most dramatic driver changes in recent Formula 1 history.

For Tsunoda, the coming races are a final chance to prove his worth. For Lawson, they represent the opportunity to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks in F1 history. Whatever happens, this decision will have far-reaching consequences for both drivers and Red Bull Racing, as the team continues its pursuit of glory in Formula 1.