Yuki Tsunoda to Replace Liam Lawson: Red Bull’s Ongoing Search for Max Verstappen’s Ideal Team-Mate

For the past six years, finding a suitable team-mate for Max Verstappen has been a persistent challenge. The recent replacement of Liam Lawson after just two races highlights the extreme pressures within Red Bull Racing.

Yuki Tsunoda is now the latest driver to take on what many consider the most demanding seat in Formula 1. Liam Lawson will return to Racing Bulls, hoping to regain his confidence.

Lawson was initially considered as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez following Perez`s inconsistent performance, which had negatively impacted Red Bull`s chances of retaining the Constructors` Championship.

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Sergio Perez`s four-season tenure at Red Bull was marked by inconsistency relative to Verstappen. Before Perez, Alex Albon lasted only 18 months, and Pierre Gasly even less, at just half a season.

This raises a critical question: what makes it so difficult to be Verstappen`s team-mate?

Verstappen`s Unique Driving Style

One theory suggests that Red Bull designs and sets up their car to specifically match Verstappen`s distinct driving style.

Essentially, driver preference for car handling varies: some prefer understeer, while others favor oversteer. Verstappen leans towards oversteer and desires a car that turns in aggressively at the start of corners.

Ideally, a racing car would have neutral handling, but Formula 1 cars typically exhibit either understeer or oversteer, or sometimes a combination of both.

Verstappen describes his driving style: “I prefer a responsive front end, but with a rear that provides just enough stability for controlled balance. I dislike understeer; it diminishes the car`s feel. A strong front end with a rear that`s on the edge, but still dependable.”

Alex Albon, Verstappen`s team-mate in late 2019 and throughout 2020, struggled to consistently reach Q3 and often had to fight through the pack to score points, while Verstappen challenged Mercedes.

In a 2023 interview on the High Performance Podcast, Albon used a video game analogy to explain the driving challenges at Red Bull.

“Many believe the car is built around Max, similar to how Ferrari was structured around Michael Schumacher,” Albon stated.

“The car has inherent characteristics, and Max is exceptionally fast. He has a unique driving style that isn`t easily adaptable.”

“Every driver has a style. Mine is smoother, and I prefer a car with a sharp front end. Max also likes a sharp front end, but his level of sharpness is extreme – incredibly so.”

“To illustrate, imagine maximizing the sensitivity in a computer game. Moving the mouse becomes hyper-sensitive, darting across the screen. That`s the feeling. It`s so sharp it induces tension.”

Is Red Bull Designing Cars This Way?

Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016 and quickly became a consistent frontrunner. Since 2019, he`s rarely been outqualified by team-mates, only 12 times in total by Gasly, Albon, and Perez, often due to external factors.

Considering regulation changes and car design evolutions, has Red Bull been tailoring cars primarily for Verstappen?

Christian Horner, Red Bull`s team principal, stated, “We always aim for peak performance. Fast cars are inherently challenging to drive. We need to unlock more performance and need both drivers competitive to contend for the Constructors` Championship, and certainly for the Drivers` title, a second car is essential.”

Horner further added, “Max constantly requests more front-end grip. We naturally follow our faster driver’s direction in development.”

Despite Horner`s admission, Verstappen has expressed dissatisfaction with the Red Bull car for nearly a year, particularly since McLaren`s resurgence. His driving style, often visibly correcting the car, suggests the current Red Bull might not be perfectly suited even to him. However, his exceptional talent allows him to maximize performance even from a less-than-ideal car.

Lack of Confidence: A Major Issue

Formula 1 drivers make countless decisions per lap, each impacting performance. Braking points, braking force, turn-in timing, steering input, cornering lines, and throttle application all occur in seconds, often amidst wheel-to-wheel racing.

Any hesitation or lack of confidence in the car becomes critical, especially under the intense pressure of driving for a top team like Red Bull.

Martin Brundle of Sky Sports F1, who was once Michael Schumacher’s team-mate, noted Lawson`s seven-tenths gap to Verstappen in Q1 in China. “It seems like a small gap per corner, but it`s immense. Finding seven tenths is a fundamental challenge.”

A recent trend at Red Bull shows Perez starting seasons closer to Verstappen`s pace, but the gap widens as the season progresses. Albon suggests this is because car development increasingly favors Verstappen`s style, making the car faster but harder to drive for others.

“Initially, you`re slightly behind, but as the season evolves, Max pushes for a sharper front end,” Albon explained.

“As the car becomes sharper, Max gets quicker. To keep pace, you must take more risks. Pushing harder can lead to mistakes, like going off-track or crashing, requiring a reset.”

“Confidence diminishes, requiring more thought and less flow. Entering corners becomes unpredictable, eroding confidence and flow, which is detrimental.”

Is Verstappen Simply Too Good?

Beyond driving styles and car development, Verstappen`s exceptional talent is undeniably a major factor. Nico Rosberg of Sky Sports F1 considers Verstappen the best driver he raced against, ranking him among the top five F1 drivers of all time.

Verstappen is currently performing at his peak. His potential 2024 title win, possibly without the fastest car, underscores his ability.

It`s likely most drivers would struggle to match Verstappen in equal machinery, given his extraordinary skill.

Horner acknowledges, “He is a phenomenal talent, consistently demonstrating exceptional ability. Looking back, Max`s greatness is becoming increasingly apparent to everyone.”

Formula 1 heads to the Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix on April 4-6.