Red Bull explain F1 driver moves following Perez exit

Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has outlined the key factors behind the team’s decision to promote Liam Lawson and not Yuki Tsunoda after sidelining Sergio Perez, citing “mental strength” as being critical.

Following the conclusion of the 2024 F1 season, the Milton Keynes squad reached an agreement with the Mexican driver to stand him down from his race seat alongside Max Verstappen.

After performing below expectations last term, the 34-year-old will be consigned to promotional runs for Red Bull next year as he plots his next move in F1

It was anticipated that Perez would be helped to step aside, as was the team’s choice to elevate Lawson from Racing Bulls above the vastly more experienced Tsunoda.

This decision has been widely questioned, as the Japanese driver outperformed his team-mate over their recent six-round stint together.

Marko, however, has underlined that more than pure pace and results were considered, with the New Zealander judged to be better equipped to manage the rigours of life next to Verstappen – and with a higher potential.

“With his mental strength, [Liam] Lawson is the one who is most likely to be able to hold his own alongside Max. Nobody can beat him at the moment anyway,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung.

“Due to his limited grand prix experience, we also see the greatest potential for further development in him.”

Red Bull rediscover ‘right path’

Despite the prevailing wind heading in Lawson’s direction for some weeks, Tsunoda retained an outside chance – and hope – of securing the drive.

The 24-year-old knew it was against the odds but nevertheless impressed the team during his post-season test, disavowing the six-time constructors’ champions of some pre-conceived notions about his feedback and attention to detail.

That aside, Tsunoda was unable to shake the existing narrative that he perhaps lacks the right temperament to partner Verstappen, something Red Bull feels makes Lawson “just right” as a fit.

“The decision was certainly disappointing for him,” Marko said of Tsunoda. “His speed is undisputed, but he lacks a certain consistency and he is also a very emotional driver.

“Lawson’s overall package was just right, and Yuki Tsunoda is the spearhead for the Racing Bulls.”

Staying put in the secondary team, he will be joined by former reserve driver and F2 runner-up Isack Hadjar, who is also known for his explosive antics over team radio.

“He is a very fast but also very impulsive driver, so that could be interesting for the team,” Marko commented. “With the promotion, however, we have clearly refocused on promoting drivers from our own Red Bull junior team.

“I am sure this is the right path and Hadjar will confirm this.”