Formula 1: Top candidate to join Max Verstappen, and it’s not Liam Lawson

Formula 1: Top candidate to join Max Verstappen, and it's not Liam Lawson

As a long-time F1 enthusiast with a penchant for analyzing driver dynamics and team strategies, I firmly believe that Red Bull should go against the grain and opt for Yuki Tsunoda as Max Verstappen‘s teammate in 2025.

There’s been ongoing discussion about Sergio Perez’s potential future in Formula 1 ever since his performance noticeably declined midway through the 2023 season.

As we approach 2024, Perez found himself in a precarious position. Despite having a dismal season, he was still given an extension on his contract. However, it appears that Red Bull has decided to replace him for the 2025 season, effectively ending Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 racing career.

Initially, there were three main contenders vying for the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen next year: Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson. However, following Ricciardo’s departure from RB a few months back, Christian Horner has stated that the decision will now be between Tsunoda and Lawson.

Since Lawson assumed Ricciardo’s position at RB, it is said that he has remained the top contender for the second Red Bull seat, and this remains so despite him not outperforming his teammate during the season. On the other hand, Tsunoda statistically outshone both of his teammates last season, but there are worries about his demeanor, among other aspects.

The best move possible is one that no one is talking about.

Interestingly, pairing the most heated racers on the circuit as teammates might surprisingly lead to victory. Verstappen, known for his fiery demeanor on the track, has clinched four consecutive world championships. So, one might argue that the Japanese driver could also reach such heights when driving for Red Bull.

A significant factor to bear in mind is Tsunoda’s involvement in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi with Red Bull, which took place in 2023. During this testing period, Tsunoda, aged 24, left a positive impact on engineers both at the racetrack and back at the factory. This strong performance should be factored into their plans when Red Bull is deciding on their driver lineup for the year 2025.

As a gamer following Formula One closely, I can’t help but feel the tension building between Honda and Red Bull regarding the 2025 seat. Given that next year marks Honda’s swan song with Red Bull, they might exert some influence to promote their Japanese talent, Yuki Tsunoda. After all, it’s also the end of Tsunoda’s current contract with Red Bull.

It seems logical that Red Bull might choose to support Yuki Tsunoda over Lawson, given his more extensive experience and the fact that he’s proven himself worthy of the seat. Additionally, considering Honda’s final year with Red Bull, it would be strategically wise to keep them satisfied. However, while Red Bull appears to favor Lawson, it’s important to note that he hasn’t competed in a full season yet. A complete season for him at Red Bull would significantly aid his development before potentially transitioning to Red Bull in the future.

Tsunoda may leave following the next season and could possibly team up with Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin, given some assistance from Honda, who have already declared an engine collaboration with the team starting from 2026 and beyond. However, this is contingent on Lance Stroll’s future plans and whether Lawrence Stroll is willing to relinquish control of the team by retaining his son in the secondary vehicle.

By the year 2026, Red Bull may field Max Verstappen together with a thoroughly ready Lawson. If circumstances permit, Isack Hadjar could be partnered with either Pepe Marti or Arvid Lindblad, depending on their performance in the upcoming Formula 2 season.

2024-12-18 14:32