'This is over': Red Bull's telling act as Kiwi ace's struggles fuel swap rumours
Red Bull has once again sparked questions over Liam Lawson's future after the team frantically ushered Yuki Tsunoda away from the media in China after he reaffirmed his desire to jump into the seat alongside Max Verstappen.
Lawson was promoted to the senior Red Bull team at the start of the season following a season of struggle for Sergio Perez.
But in his first two races for the senior team, Lawson has failed to score points. In China, he was slowest qualifier for both the sprint and grand prix.
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Racing Bulls star Yuki Tsunoda and struggling Red Bull driver Liam Lawson. FOX Sports
In a bid to help him in the race, the team elected to change his set-up after qualifying in China, which forced him to start from the pit lane. Their hopes were in vain. He finished 15th on the road - ahead of only the Alpine of Jack Doohan, the two Saubers and Tsunoda after he was forced into a late pitstop for a new front wing.
Tsunoda was asked whether he would be ready to move to Red Bull's flagship team in two weekends' time for his home grand prix in Japan and the 24-year-old relished the opportunity to throw fuel on the fire.
"Yeah, why not. Always," he said.
"In Japan? Yeah, 100 per cent. I mean, the car [Red Bull] is faster."
After this admission, the Japanese driver was reportedly dragged away from the media pen by his Racing Bulls press officer with the words 'this is over' being heard.
Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Visa Cash App RB and Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB take a selfie at the Visa Cash App RB team photo after practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 06, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) Getty
In his fifth straight season of failing to be promoted from Red Bull's sister team, Tsunoda is champing at the bit to prove himself worthy, saying he 'feels in good shape' to compete against five-time world champion Verstappen.
Since Daniel Ricciardo's departure from the team at the end of 2018, four drivers have competed for the second seat in Red Bull, many calling it cursed due to senior advisor Helmut Marko's ruthless capacity to chuck young drivers out for poor performance.
Red Bull has been dodging rumours spreading through the paddock as to when, not if, Tsunoda will snatch the coveted drive from rookie Lawson.
After last years' blunder in giving away the constructors' title to rivals McLaren, Red Bull has fallen away and needs its second driver to be collecting valuable points for their 2025 campaign.
Max Verstappen took second in Australia but missed the podium in China after failing to challenge Mercedes' George Russell for the final place on the rostrum, which has not been up to the usual standard, leaving Red Bull trailing in third in the standings.
Further down the paddock, a similar scenario has been shadowing Aussie Doohan's rookie campaign in the Alpine, with reserve driver Franco Colapinto rumoured to be challenging for a mid-season promotion into his seat.
With a season high of six rookies on the 2025 grid, strong performances out the gate are being demanded of the young drivers in every team, but especially in those with championship ambitions.
