- Quick Promotion: Lawson was elevated to Red Bull after just 11 races in the junior squad.
- Disappointing Performances:
- He qualified 18th in Australia and crashed out.
- In China, he qualified last, finishing P14 in the sprint and P12 in the grand prix.
Marko commented on Lawson’s challenges, attributing some of his struggles to reliability issues that limited his practice time. However, he noted, “as soon as he started pushing, he made mistakes.” The RB21's demanding nature further complicated matters for the rookie driver.
Marko expressed concerns about Lawson's self-confidence, fearing it had been significantly affected by his early performances.
- Team Dynamics: Red Bull requires two strong drivers to compete effectively, especially with Max Verstappen aiming for his fifth world title. Marko emphasized the urgency, stating, “There’s so much motivation to achieve this fifth title.”
When asked about the team's decision-making, Marko was straightforward: “We made a mistake.” He reassured that Lawson is not out of Formula 1 and will have opportunities to recover with Racing Bulls.
With Yuki Tsunoda stepping in for Lawson, Marko explained the change in perception:
- Transformation: Tsunoda has matured over the past year and developed a stronger personality.
- Consistency: His performance has improved, showing that he can handle a challenging car better than before.
Marko believes Tsunoda has until the end of the season to prove himself, signaling the team’s confidence in his potential.
Red Bull's Helmut Marko has acknowledged the premature promotion of Liam Lawson and expressed concerns about his confidence following disappointing performances. With Tsunoda now at the wheel, the team aims to enhance its competitiveness as Verstappen pursues another world championship. The focus remains on performance and consistency as they navigate this challenging season.
