2025 Formula 1 Drivers threadFormula 1

[EngieDiesel]

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/335358/why-honda-is-paying-millions-to-red-bull-for-tsunoda.html

It is no secret that Honda provided funding for years to keep Tsunoda in a seat at Racing Bulls (and its predecessors). That only ended last year, but the bond between the engine supplier to both Red Bull teams remained strong. Thus, Tsunoda was still one of the faces of the brand.

When it became clear that Red Bull Racing was considering replacing Lawson, it was perhaps Honda that put an end to any doubts among the team's management. Indeed, the manufacturer revealed that it would be willing to pay millions if Tsunoda were to partner Max Verstappen at Suzuka.

I guess it makes sense that Honda would pay a premium to have a Honda affiliated driver in a top level car with Honda engine tech at a track that is owned by Honda.

 

[Shaun]

 

[KAlex122]

View attachment 1439081

I don't know the Loser #4 but everything else is jsut great, including the last one.

 

[Aphelion]

I don't know the Loser #4 but everything else is jsut great, including the last one.

That's Isaac Hadjar, yukis (former) teammate.

 

[KAlex122]

That's Isaac Hadjar, yukis (former) teammate.

Thanks, didn't recognize him. Of course.

 

[Haitauer]

We must understand this might not be because RedBull thinks Lawson is slow, but instead they want to see if the car is something no-one else other than Max are able to drive. Fastest way to test the car is to throw in another driver and see if he has the same problems. I also think the best way for Lawsons career is to show his talent on Racing Bulls more balanced car and move to some other organization, as there clearly isnt a way to get to the top in RB as long as Verstappen is on the team. Other teams also know how infamously difficult RedBull has been to drive and thus dont worry too much of Lawsons failure to manage the car.

Now what comes to Yuki - if Suzuka is dry, he has massive pressure to perform as he has absolutely no excuses. He has experience and knows the track very well. I would be more worried what the outcome of possible failure could be for Yukis career than that of Lawson. Given Yuki has struggled under pressure before, this is far from optimal.

In general I think RedBull hasnt been able to build a competitive enough car for this and last season, and for that reason they have had to rely more and more on Verstappens exeptional talent and unique driving style - making the car harder and harder for any other driver in the process. They really need to "reset" to more team friendly car in 2026.

 

[PaMu1337]

View attachment 1439081

Do we want to know what picture Christian sent? 😅

 

[Saidur_Ali]

 

[Aphelion]

I find it slightly funny that this announcement litterally only mentions the Japanese GP.

 

[Fezzik]

I find it slightly funny that this announcement litterally only mentions the Japanese GP.

“from” the Japanese GP, ie that point onward. If it was only for Suzuka it would say “at the”.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Oracle Red Bull Racing

We're passionate about racing, our fans and we love what we do. Our goal is to continue to do things differently.

www.redbullracing.com

 

[Aphelion]

“from” the Japanese GP, ie that point onward. If it was only for Suzuka it would say “at the”.

Oopsies haha my B.

 

[Fezzik]

“Red Bull are in the unique position of having four seats on the Formula One grid, across Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls”

It’s still amusing to me seeing when they acknowledge they control the junior team, and when they claim it’s operationally independent.

 

[Vinylshark]

Getting the boot after just 2 races from the same team that refused to kick Perez last season at all, yikes. RBR throwing Lawson under the bus here.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Getting the boot after just 2 races from the same team that refused to kick Perez last season at all, yikes. RBR throwing Lawson under the bus here.

Yes but I do also think he has contributed to it, if he drove as well as he can run his mouth he'd have been fine, he bigged himself up, put Yuki down, swore at Perez, gave it large in the off season and has been humbled.

It is still an irrationally quick decision from Red Bull, especially given the run of races coming up should have showcased Liam in a better light on circuits he knows, but there's clearly something fundamentally not working there. Reminds of the Gasly situation, insinuating he had a different car to Max and that's why he couldn't perform and he fell out with the team on his side of the garage. Perhaps Lawsons bolshy and arrogant nature has caused issues off the circuit as much as in it.

I also think @Haitauer may have a point regarding Red Bull wanting to see if it's the car or the driver. Verstappen is a unique benchmark, but Tsunoda in his home circuit with a lot of F1 experience under his belt now, should be able to provide an answer as to whether it's a driver/skill issue or a genuinely massive car flaw.

 

[NotThePrez]

This is going to be great for the GTPFF1.

Your adjusted Constructors Championship must be nuts right now.

 

[Famine]

Your adjusted Constructors Championship must be nuts right now.

FACC will be fine - it's driver-agnostic. The issue is whether the Tsunoda/Lawson swap is "a full-time active driver transfer" or if they're going to be doing musical ****ing chairs all year.

 

[Liquid]

FACC will be fine - it's driver-agnostic. The issue is whether the Tsunoda/Lawson swap is "a full-time active driver transfer" or if they're going to be doing musical ****ing chairs all year.

The Suzuki-Brundle rule.

 

[Balazs Toldi]

Mercedes' reserve driver, Valtteri Bottas will take to the track in a McLaren on Thursday, driving one of the former cars of the defending constructors' champion on the Barcelona asphalt strip, home to the Spanish Grand Prix.

 

[toastet]

If they would like to find out if it's really "just" a car issue why not circulating Max and Yuki for a FP1 and let all 4 drivers do a quali sim and 1/3 race stint. Most questions would be answered without throwing Liam under a bus and having to deal with all in media etc. now following.

 

[toastet]

Meanwhile in "South" America

 

[MagpieRacer]

If they would like to find out if it's really "just" a car issue why not circulating Max and Yuki for a FP1 and let all 4 drivers do a quali sim and 1/3 race stint. Most questions would be answered without throwing Liam under a bus and having to deal with all in media etc. now following.

Can't really afford to sacrifice a weekend that way.

 

[Veinz]

Well it's just an overall stupid and avoidable situation driven by politics. It makes Red Bull look like idiots, something needs to change at that team when it comes to managing drivers, they're making history with this nonsense.

I'm happy for Yuki though, I'll be rooting for him. Too bad Honda is leaving at the end of the year.

 

[TheCracker]

Well it's just an overall stupid and avoidable situation driven by politics. It makes Red Bull look like idiots, something needs to change at that team when it comes to managing drivers, they're making history with this nonsense.

It didn't matter how bad it made them look whilst they were thrashing the competition. But now they're not...

 

[Spacegoat]

Going to be awkward when Lawson out qualifies Tsunoda. Considering how good the RB's looked at China. Seems probably a better car to get a handle of straight away, vs the main Red Bull.

Best of luck to both of them though.

 

[toastet]

Can't really afford to sacrifice a weekend that way.

Wouldn't be the case with FP2 and 3 still there and still collecting data. Switching drivers and making fools of themselfes just to have another one failing is a much bigger sacrifice. They do have to put rookies in the car for Max in FP1 during the rest of the season nonetheless and no real problems with it. Just look how much time they're staying in the garages during weekends with 3 FPs.