As soon as rumours surfaced about Liam Lawson’s potential replacement, Argentine media quickly speculated that Franco Colapinto was in talks with Red Bull Racing to become Max Verstappen’s teammate. However, GPblog had already debunked this claim, and Tsunoda’s promotion further confirmed it. Now, Helmut Marko himself has stated that Colapinto was never considered for the seat. Former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo was also never in the running, despite some eager fans hoping for his return.
For Honda, Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull Racing is a major milestone. At the Japanese Grand Prix, a homegrown driver is making his debut for a top team powered by a Japanese engine. However, Red Bull insists that the timing of Tsunoda’s first race in the RB21 at Suzuka is purely coincidental.
Yuki Tsunoda’s tenure at Red Bull Racing could be the perfect opportunity for Red Bull Racing to put Arvid Lindblad in the car, thinks former F1 driver, Juan Pablo Montoya. There’s a caveat, though, that could make the situation backfire on the Austrian team, and the Japanese driver holds the key.
The expression, nothing changes like the weather, could, in a way, apply to Red Bull Racing. What is the absolute truth for the Austrian team one day can be the opposite the next. There is no longer any measure for Red Bull’s actions and beliefs.
GPblog reported last week that Max Verstappen disagreed with Red Bull Racing’s decision to sideline Liam Lawson, which Helmut Marko then confirmed. Meanwhile, the Austrian also revealed what Verstappen’s plea was to hold on to the New Zealander for longer, since he’d only driven two Grands Prix for the team.
Forever grateful. After all, it was the same Helmut Marko who gave the young Max Verstappen a chance in Formula One when he was only 16, thus spearheading a brilliant career in the sport. But that was then and now is a different world for Verstappen. In the interests of Red Bull Racing, it has become a must that both team principal Christian Horner and also Marko leave, GPblog has learned.
Helmut Marko did have a phone call with Sergio Perez recently. The Austrian top advisor did confirm that, however, the subject was not the one people would have in mind given the recent driver change at Red Bull.
While the rumours about Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull Racing persist, with Mercedes or Aston Martin named as possible destinations, top advisor Helmut Marko underlined they are doing everything to keep the defending world champion on board.
Former F1 driver, Ralf Schumacher, has criticised Red Bull Racing’s approach to its drivers’ management, claiming Yuki Tsunoda taking over from Liam Lawson is yet another wrong choice, with the German he would have picked a different driver to take the second seat at the Austrian team next to Max Verstappen.
Red Bull advisor, Helmut Marko, has revealed how long F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda will be given to earn his place at Red Bull Racing.
