The Red Bull Revolving Door – Can Yuki Tsunoda Survive?

The second Red Bull Racing seat has been a revolving door since 2018, with multiple drivers failing to cement their place alongside Max Verstappen. Now, after just two races in 2025, Liam Lawson has been replaced by Yuki Tsunoda—continuing the trend of instability. But was Lawson given a fair chance? And can Tsunoda succeed where so many others have struggled?

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Were Two Races Enough for Liam Lawson?

Two races into a 24-race season is simply not enough time to judge a driver, especially in a car as difficult as the Red Bull. Liam Lawson was thrown into the deep end, having spent time away from F1, and was expected to immediately perform in one of the most challenging cars on the grid.

• In Australia and China, Lawson qualified 20th, which looked disastrous on paper, but his lap times were only 5-7 tenths away from Verstappen—a gap similar to what Sergio Pérez had in previous seasons.

• The issue? The field is much tighter in 2025—a few tenths now mean several grid positions lost.

This is why Lawson’s results don’t tell the full story. With such a condensed midfield, his performances weren’t as poor as they seemed. Red Bull, however, acted swiftly, bringing in Yuki Tsunoda—perhaps prematurely.

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Yuki Tsunoda: The Fan-Favorite Under Immense Pressure

For years, Tsunoda has been hailed as a future Red Bull driver. His exceptional performances with Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) in 2024 made him the logical choice to replace Sergio Pérez. Yet, in late 2024, Red Bull surprised everyone by selecting Lawson instead.

Now, Tsunoda finally has his chance, but the pressure on him is immense. Red Bull’s car is notoriously difficult to drive, built around Verstappen’s aggressive, high-rake style. As Alex Albon once said, it takes a long time to adapt to the car—something Red Bull has historically not allowed its second drivers.

• If Tsunoda doesn’t perform, who’s next? The list of available drivers is shrinking, and Red Bull can’t afford to keep cycling through talent.

Tsunoda might be Red Bull’s best shot at stability, but can he truly unlock his potential in a car not designed for him?

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The Curse of the Second Seat: A Cycle of Unfair Dismissals?

Since Daniel Ricciardo left Red Bull in 2018, the second seat has seen five drivers in six years:

1. Pierre Gasly (2019) – Dropped mid-season despite showing potential.

2. Alex Albon (2019-2020) – Struggled to adapt to the car and was replaced.

3. Sergio Pérez (2021-2024) – Strong early performances but fell off after 2023 upgrades.

4. Liam Lawson (2025) – Dropped after just two races.

5. Yuki Tsunoda (2025-?) – Now under scrutiny.

At what point does Red Bull stop blaming the drivers and start questioning the car and its development philosophy? The second Red Bull seat has not been competitive since Ricciardo left, yet every driver who struggles is cast aside.

• The real issue lies in the team’s unwillingness to develop a car that both drivers can extract performance from.

This isn’t a driver problem anymore—it’s a systemic issue within Red Bull Racing.

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The Bigger Question: What If Verstappen Leaves?

The Red Bull system has been built entirely around Max Verstappen. His driving style dictates the car’s development, and his feedback shapes its evolution.

But what happens if Verstappen leaves?

• With Honda and Adrian Newey heading to Aston Martin, Verstappen could be tempted to follow them. Without Verstappen’s input, Red Bull would be left with a car designed for a driver who is no longer there.

• Who would lead the team? If no second driver has been developed alongside Verstappen, Red Bull could find itself in an identity crisis.

This is why fixing the second seat isn’t just about short-term success—it’s about Red Bull’s long-term survival.

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Red Bull’s Crossroads: Adapt or Collapse?

Red Bull can no longer afford to cycle through drivers without addressing the root of the problem. The team must decide:

1. Do they continue prioritizing Verstappen’s needs, risking instability if he leaves?

2. Or do they develop a car that allows both drivers to compete more effectively, ensuring long-term team strength?

Right now, Tsunoda is stepping into the most unforgiving seat in F1. If he fails, the second seat saga continues. If he succeeds, he could finally bring the stability Red Bull has lacked for years.

Either way, Red Bull must rethink its approach—before the consequences catch up with them.

Final Thought

Red Bull’s second seat has always been a high-stakes gamble, and the 2025 season is proving no different. With Yuki Tsunoda rumored to replace Liam Lawson at RB and the team continues its trend of uncertainty beyond Max Verstappen.

If Red Bull truly wants stability, they need to commit to a long-term strategy rather than constantly shifting drivers in and out of their program. The constant reshuffling may have worked in the past, but with a tighter grid and growing competition from McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari, Red Bull can’t afford distractions.

The question is—will they finally learn from history, or will we see another talent lost in the chaos of their system?

-Lights Out