Was Red Bull Right to Keep Swapping Drivers?
Since the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to the upcoming 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, we will see three different drivers in just four races drive for Red Bull. This constant driver changing has created some heated debate among fans and experts about whether the team’s actions are helping or hurting their performance. One of the most notable cases is Liam Lawson’s poor performance, which has led many to question if Sergio Perez was not as bad as we thought. With both Lawson’s and Perez’s struggles, the problem might not be the drivers, but the car and the team.
Liam Lawson’s recent performance has been a major talking point. He has failed to score any points and couldn’t even escape Q1 in qualifying. This resulted in a demotion back to Racing Bulls, but is it too quick to decide this in just two races? Does Lawson deserve more time in Red Bull to prove his talent and speed? Many fans feel that with more support and a more stable environment at Racing Bulls, Lawson might unlock better performance even in a less competitive car, just like what we witnessed for the last two seasons—steady and solid performance.
On the other hand, the case of Sergio Perez also comes into focus. Perez showed strong potential with Red Bull since 2021, but in the recent 2023 and 2024 seasons, he can’t keep up with his teammate Max Verstappen and has even struggled to score points in late 2024. Paddock rumors suggest that since the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, Perez was unhappy with how the car development was handled and that it didn’t suit his driving style at all. Sadly, his feedback was ignored by the whole team since RB19 kept winning every single race. The fact that the car doesn’t fit him must explain his struggles and the struggle wasn’t because he’s a bad driver, but because Verstappen is simply too good; the Dutchman can drive and adapt to any car. Now, because of Lawson’s struggles, Perez finally has someone besides Max to compare to, raising a serious question: is Red Bull making the right choice to kick Perez out, since he has proven he is a reliable driver and maybe deserves more chances moving into 2025?
Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion suggests that Red Bull is still searching for the right second driver. Tsunoda is looking confident too; he explained, “I spent about two days in the simulator. From that experience, I didn’t find the car to be that challenging to drive.” As the third driver in four races, Yuki’s performance will serve as a control group for Lawson and Perez’s cases. Since Tsunoda has been unstoppable at Racing Bulls if he delivers solid results, it means Lawson and Perez really are bad, but if even Tsunoda cannot deliver good results at Red Bull, then it’s really the car’s problem—besides Verstappen, nobody can control the car.
The constant driver changes have undoubtedly created a volatile environment that makes it hard for any driver to settle into a rhythm. With three drivers being rotated in just four races, the overall team chemistry and long-term strategy may be at risk. Red Bull should not change drivers so frequently. Instead of quickly kicking drivers out at the first sign of trouble, the team should focus more on car development and supporting their drivers. A more patient approach would give drivers a chance to adapt and improve, while also preserving the stability needed to develop a winning car. Ultimately, continuity in the driver line-up could lead to stronger performance and a better chance to challenge for championships in the long run.
