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Red Bull’s RB21 Formula 1 vehicle possesses untapped performance potential, though this capacity is largely confined to a specific operational window.
In evaluating the performance of drivers in Red Bull’s rotating second seat, it becomes clear that Liam Lawson has faced challenges where Yuki Tsunoda seems to have found more success, despite lacking pre-season test experience.
Lawson has made strides in regaining his form after transitioning to the Racing Bulls team. However, he remains primarily in a supporting role to Isack Hadjar as the latter adjusts to the VCARB 02. Various penalties have hindered Lawson’s progress, and he hasn’t consistently matched Hadjar’s race pace.
When comparing their performances, Hadjar has demonstrated greater strength as a rookie. For instance, during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Hadjar overtook Fernando Alonso early on, which allowed him to manage his hard tires for an extended stint. Conversely, Lawson, racing on medium tires, lagged for ten laps in Alonso’s wake before finally getting ahead.
The narrow gap of just 1.4 seconds at the finish can largely be attributed to Carlos Sainz’s slowing of Hadjar, rather than any sudden pace increase from Lawson on hard tires; initially, Hadjar set quicker laps before being overtaken by Lewis Hamilton.
However, Lawson’s performance is improving. He is gradually closing the gap to Hadjar since arriving at Racing Bulls, and Hadjar himself feels more challenged as the rounds progress. If Lawson can overcome his tendency to incur in-race time penalties, he may soon find himself on the verge of a points-scoring finish this season.
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls VCARB 02 leads Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing RB21
Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli – Getty Images
There is hope for Lawson to showcase the talent he displayed during his time with AlphaTauri in 2023. This is a pivotal opportunity for him to establish a long-term career in F1. Although his current performances have not fully demonstrated his capabilities, achieving stability through the first half of the season could significantly bolster his prospects.
To achieve this, he may need to engage in some self-reflection. While he claims that his confidence remained intact after his demotion within Red Bull, it is likely that his morale was indeed affected. The rigors of F1 demand resilience, and every driver on the grid has faced similar challenges. As a lesson from Chumbawamba’s classic hit Tubthumping suggests, a career is defined not merely by setbacks but by the ability to recover swiftly.
The Racing Bulls VCARB 02 may not possess the outright pace to challenge the top four teams. Still, it is competitive for fifth place overall in the championship, a focus that Lawson should prioritize—aiming for ninth and tenth positions rather than engaging in battles with Aston Martins and Saubers.
On the other hand, Tsunoda is proving to be the stronger choice for Red Bull early on. The challenge he faces now lies in unlocking the full performance potential of the RB21 during qualifying. The car has the capability for pole positions and victories if pushed to its limits, but Tsunoda will require additional time to reach that level. Patience is essential.
Currently, Tsunoda is at a stage where he can reliably achieve the lap times necessary to secure a spot in Q3; however, he likely has much more to offer once he fully grasps the car’s dynamics. As Gianluca d’Alessandro noted in his analysis of Tsunoda’s initial races, there is still plenty for him to learn as the season progresses.
In this article
Jake Boxall-Legge
Formula 1
Liam Lawson
Yuki Tsunoda
Red Bull Racing
Racing Bulls
Source
www.motorsport.com