Red Bull Formula 1 boss Christian Horner’s comments after the team announced Liam Lawson as Sergio Perez’s replacement hint at why Yuki Tsunoda was overlooked.
On Wednesday, Perez and Red Bull agreed to part ways after the Mexican had a torrid end to the 2024 campaign.
Less than 24 hours later, Lawson was announced as his replacement, ahead of the far more experienced Tsunoda.
Lawson has less than a dozen Grand Prix starts under his belt compared to Tsunoda’s four full seasons at the Red Bull sister team in Faenza.
Moreover, Tsunoda had the measure of Lawson during their six races together, out-qualifying him seven to two inclusive of Sprints and out-racing him four to two in GPs (Lawson had a two to one upper hand in Sprints).
Still, Lawson is the one given the nod and in Red Bull’s official statement, Horner credited him as “a real racer” when outlining his new driver.
“Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top,” Horner said.
“His arrival continues the Team’s long history of promoting from within the Red Bull Junior Programme and he follows in the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course, Max Verstappen.
“There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers ever seen in F1, is a daunting task, but I’m sure Liam can rise to that challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year.”
Examining Lawson’s candidacy at Red Bull
Despite having an inferior record to Tsunoda in 2024, Lawson has indeed shown grit and determination during his second F1 stint – as who can forget his cameo appearances last year in place of the injured Daniel Ricciardo?
Upon his return to action at this year’s United States GP, Lawson riled up veteran Fernando Alonso in the Sprint and charged from 19th to ninth in the race.
A week later, he banged wheels with Perez at his home GP and flipped the Mexican the finger when passing him for good and although that gesture was criticised, it showed the New Zealander has a fighting spirit.
Perhaps that’s just what Horner and Red Bull saw as the perfect attitude to take on Max Verstappen at Red Bull, a young Lawson unafraid of a challenge.
Moreover, Helmut Marko has compared Lawson to former F1 greats from New Zealand – telling Auto Motor und Sport: “Lawson reminds me of Bruce McLaren or Denny Hulme, quite down-to-earth and mentally strong.”
Tsunoda meanwhile, has had his temperament repeatedly questioned by Red Bull and rightly or wrongly, that assessment appears to have cost the Japanese driver a chance that he, Honda and many others feel he rightly deserves.
READ MORE – Liam Lawson promoted to Red Bull as Sergio Perez replacement
