According to reports from the old continent, the Austrian team has reportedly confirmed an internal driver change between its two teams before the Japanese Grand Prix.This move would mean that Yuki Tsunoda moves to the main team (Red Bull Racing) and Liam Lawson to Racing Bulls after just two races in the season. If confirmed, there would be no possibility for Franco Colapinto to move from Alpine.
Canal+ from France and De Telegraaf from the Netherlands confirmed Red Bull's decision, which originated from Lawson's poor performance in the season. In the Australian Grand Prix, he retired after a mishap, and in China, he achieved modest results: 14th in the sprint and 12th in the main race, benefiting from the disqualification of the Ferraris, Hamilton, and Leclerc, as well as Pierre Gasly for regulatory non-compliance. Additionally, he was eliminated in Q1 in all the qualifying sessions he participated in so far.
Canal + y De Telegraaf confirman el intercambio de pilotos
With this context, his continuity within the team was in doubt. In contrast, Tsunoda had been performing solidly and fueling rumors of a possible promotion. "Why not? In Japan, yes, 100 percent. The car is faster," he replied to Motorsport when asked if he would like to race for Red Bull. His performance in the current season has been positive, highlighted by his 6th place in the China Sprint, although external factors like the weather in Australia and a wrong strategy in Shanghai prevented him from scoring points in the main races.
Yuki Tsunoda compartiría equipo con Verstappen
Meanwhile, the Red Bull leadership, gathered in Dubai, did not talk about the RB21, a car that has not lived up to its predecessors and which even Verstappen described as "difficult" to drive. However, this was no excuse for the team to make a decisive determination in the middle of the championship. The official announcement of the change is expected in the coming days.
This would not be the first internal modification made by the energy drink team. Since their entry in 2005, Red Bull has made 7 changes in their driver roster. One of the most memorable changes occurred in 2019, when Pierre Gasly was demoted to Toro Rosso and Alex Albon took his place. Another relevant precedent was in 2016, when after four Grands Prix, a young Max Verstappen replaced Daniil Kvyat.
