Tsunoda: Red Bull F1 would be ‘weird’ to pick Lawson over me
Tsunoda: Red Bull F1 would be ‘weird’ to pick Lawson over me
Yuki Tsunoda has asserted that it would be a “weird” situation should Red Bull choose to promote reserve driver Liam Lawson to the parent Formula 1 team over him. Red Bull appeared to have finalised its driver line-up heading into the coming seasons as it announced last month that Sergio...
Yuki Tsunoda has asserted that it would be a “weird” situation should Red Bull choose to promote reserve driver Liam Lawson to the parent Formula 1 team over him.
Red Bull appeared to have finalised its driver line-up heading into the coming seasons as it announced last month that Sergio Perez has penned a multi-term renewal.
He is right
He is, but that doesn't make it the wrong thing to do either.
Strictly IMO based on nothing- I'm not convinced Red Bull or anyone else thinks Yuki has a ceiling much higher than where he's currently at. Red Bull is unfortunately cursed with comparing everyone to Max so they are perpetually hunting for someone as good or better than he is, and Yuki hasn't had those breakout moments to sway their leadership.
The series has seen countless drivers in the same situation with various teams through the years. It's a very cutthroat, money influenced, flavor-of-the-week culture that not a lot of people get the chance to thrive in.
I don't think RB is trying to get someone as good or better than Max, I think RB is trying to get a balance of someone who is good enough to maximise points without challenging Max, while at the same time being good for sponsorship deals and marketing.
It'd be great if RB hired a "Rosberg", but that's not what they're after.
I'm not convinced Red Bull or anyone else thinks Yuki has a ceiling much higher than where he's currently at.
Which according to me is perfect for them. They want somebody solid, consistent and fast but not enough to threaten Verstappen. Yuki fits this bill. If they actually wanted somebody who would beat Verstappen in a straight fight occassionally they would have jumped at opportunity to bring in sainz. What they want is a driver what bottas was to merc and I believe yuki could be that
Red Bull is unfortunately cursed with comparing everyone to Max so they are perpetually hunting for someone as good or better than he is
There is nobody fitting this bill in the RB stables (or outside for that matter). Neither did perez fit this bill so then hiring him seems an odd decision. Lawson and hadjar dont fit these requirements either and since they are rookies throwing them into Verstappen infested waters seems more like a plan to destroy their career than advance it.
For the people that say Checo is valuable to Red Bull for Mexican beverage sales, I imagine Yuki has a similar appeal.
Checo also helps with Merch sales across LatAm and India( force India days fans).
I don't think Yuki can bring the kind of volume of merch, beverages sales and sponsorships that Checo does.