Why Red Bull must change its F1 young driver approach

Subsequent up: Yuki Tsunoda.

The Japanese driver has now formally entered Crimson Bull’s model of Russian roulette, overseen by Helmut Marko. Liam Lawson was the earlier identify drawn, however his shot at glory rapidly was a nightmare. His long-awaited promotion alongside Max Verstappen was celebrated off-track, however the second he hit the tarmac in Bahrain pre-season testing, his dream began to unravel. He had simply one-and-a-half days of testing in Sakhir and three free observe periods in complete throughout Melbourne and Shanghai earlier than the decision got here down – and it wasn’t in his favour.

Alex Albon, who began 26 races alongside Verstappen earlier than being dropped on the finish of 2020, maybe described it greatest: “It’s like utilizing a pc with the mouse sensitivity turned all the best way up.”

The onboard footage says all of it. Within the restricted time he had, Lawson continually fought the RB21’s twitchy reactions and each try to hold velocity by way of corners ended with aggressive corrections and missed apexes. It was a wrestle from begin to end.

The truth is, Verstappen has been driving automobiles in-built Milton Keynes for years – typically quick however with the stability on a knife-edge. But even Verstappen raised a flag in mid-2024, declaring that since Crimson Bull responded to McLaren’s rising menace, the automobile has taken an much more excessive route and turn into more durable to drive.

For Marko, the earlier answer was easy on paper: discover one other Verstappen. However in reality, Crimson Bull is chasing a driver who doesn’t exist. And whereas Marko waits for a miracle, the junior academy continues to coach younger drivers for a mission with slim probabilities of success.

The crew now finds itself on a path with two attainable exits; discovering a second Verstappen or making a elementary change in philosophy to as soon as once more prioritise drivability. Till a kind of paths is taken and efficiently realised, Crimson Bull will proceed to race with one automobile – or, at greatest, one-and-a-half.

For now, Marko’s imaginative and prescient nonetheless dominates however that would change if Verstappen begins pushing again. That situation is turning into extra doubtless – it’s one factor to grit your tooth whereas successful, fairly one other when the rewards begin to shrink.

Subsequent weekend, at Honda’s dwelling race, will probably be Tsunoda’s flip. The stakes are decrease in his case.

Lawson was thrown into the deep finish with out having raced a full F1 season, and with no prior expertise of Melbourne or Shanghai. Tsunoda, however, has 4 seasons with Racing Bulls underneath his belt.

He additionally is aware of he’s at a profession crossroads – on the finish of the yr, Honda (his key backer) will half methods with Crimson Bull. Tsunoda has little to lose. If he clicks with the RB21, it might be a breakthrough. If not, he’ll get replaced.

Lawson’s scenario is completely different. A return to Racing Bulls – a well-worn path – sometimes indicators the start of the tip, however because the Racing Bulls function turns into extra of a holding sample, it turns right into a ready room for out of doors alternatives, as has most lately been the case for Pierre Gasly. It’s a disgrace to see such a gifted younger driver’s trajectory change so drastically in simply three months, however that’s the truth.

Focus can be on Tsunoda’s Crimson Bull debut at Suzuka subsequent weekend

Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photos

Crimson Bull, in fact, is free to make its personal selections, nobody is pressured into its junior programme at gunpoint, in spite of everything.

Nevertheless it’s value reflecting on the truth that Crimson Bull’s technique isn’t the one one which works in Method 1. On Sunday night time, after Oscar Piastri’s win in Shanghai, McLaren crew principal Andrea Stella spoke in regards to the effort invested in serving to the Australian develop following two seasons alongside Lando Norris.

Months of research, race critiques, and open discussions about what wasn’t working. On the similar venue a yr earlier, in 2024, Norris completed second whereas Piastri got here dwelling eighth – greater than 40 seconds behind.

“I keep in mind scratching my head and telling Oscar there was rather a lot to study from that race,” Stella recalled. “Now I can say that every one the work we did collectively actually paid off.”

That, too, is a technique that works in fashionable F1.

Might Crimson Bull take a lesson from McLaren?

Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos