Formula 1: Marko Acknowledges Error in Lawson's Red Bull Handling

New Delhi. March 28 (NationPress) Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, has acknowledged that the team might have “made a mistake” regarding Liam Lawson’s promotion and subsequent demotion after merely two races in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Lawson, who had secured the seat alongside Max Verstappen following Sergio Perez’s exit, was relieved of his duties after underwhelming performances in Australia and China. He has now been reassigned to Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, in exchange for Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda.

Marko commented on the decision, recognizing that the team’s strategy may not have been optimal. “His performance was unfortunately not good enough, and that stems from self-confidence,” he stated on BBC Radio 5 Live. “We were concerned that his confidence was so shaken that he couldn’t deliver his usual performance.”

The swap involving Lawson and Tsunoda has raised questions about Red Bull’s long-term strategy. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Lawson was favored over Tsunoda, only for the team to reverse that decision within two races of the new season. Marko noted that Tsunoda had “made a big step” and emerged as a more confident and versatile driver.

“It’s unusual—after four years, now in his fifth year, he possesses a much stronger personality,” Marko remarked. “He performed well in two races, but his strategy didn’t pan out at Racing Bulls.”

Critics, however, argue that the decision appears to be more reactionary than strategic. Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde characterized it as a “panic move,” a sentiment seemingly supported by Red Bull’s leading driver, Max Verstappen, who liked van der Garde’s Instagram post.

While Marko insists that Lawson’s return to Racing Bulls is “not a demotion” and that he still has a future in F1, history suggests otherwise. Drivers like Gasly and Albon have both rejuvenated their careers after being sent back to the junior team, yet neither returned to Red Bull’s main lineup.

This isn’t the first time Red Bull’s driver choices have come under scrutiny. Last spring, they extended Sergio Perez’s contract until the end of 2026 instead of pursuing Carlos Sainz, who became available after Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton. Perez had a strong start to the 2024 season but faced challenges later, leading Red Bull to part ways with him and replace him with Lawson. Now, after just two races, that decision has been reversed.

Marko conceded that, with hindsight, Red Bull might have approached things differently. “At the beginning of the year, Sergio Perez finished second twice and was performing well,” he noted. “It later became evident that Sergio had issues with the car, leading to a drop in his performance.”

With Tsunoda now occupying the second Red Bull seat, the Japanese driver has until the end of the season to validate his position. Marko emphasized that this is not a temporary trial. “We believe he can fulfill the role,” he asserted.

While attention has been directed toward Lawson and Tsunoda, Marko subtly hinted at a larger concern—keeping Verstappen satisfied. The Dutch driver has clinched three consecutive world titles with Red Bull, but Marko acknowledged that if the team’s performance declines, the star driver might consider other options. “All the top drivers have performance clauses in their contracts,” Marko disclosed. “Therefore, we must ensure Max has a car that allows him to win.”