Lawson’s Return to Red Bull
Liam Lawson is set to return to the Red Bull team for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. This opportunity arises after Isack Hadjar sustained a wrist injury, rendering him unable to compete this weekend. Lawson expressed that while this was not an expected turn of events for the weekend, he views it as a significant opportunity.
This marks Lawson’s first return to the main team since an earlier, brief period at the start of the 2025 championship. During that time, he participated in only two rounds before being moved to Racing Bulls, where he has been racing since. He previously made his Formula 1 debut at Zandvoort in 2023 as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo due to injury, finishing 13th. He did not race there in 2024 and secured 12th place last year.
Lawson acknowledged that he felt more comfortable this time around, especially regarding his overall experience in Formula 1. He noted that he has participated in many more races since his initial stint, contributing to a greater sense of ease within the sport. Despite this, he anticipates a challenging weekend.
Challenges and Expectations
The 24-year-old driver hopes to quickly adapt to the new car. He anticipates that getting into the car for the first practice session will feel somewhat unfamiliar and require a period of adjustment. His primary goal for the weekend is to learn as much as possible through the Sprint Qualifying and Sprint sessions, aiming to be well-prepared for Qualifying on Saturday.
Red Bull seemingly believes Lawson is better positioned to score points with the new specification cars compared to reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda. Consequently, Tsunoda will take Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls for this weekend’s event. Lawson currently holds ninth position in the drivers’ championship, trailing the top four teams.
Lawson has demonstrated strong performance this season, achieving top 10 finishes in all but three of the 11 rounds completed so far. This indicates his proficiency with the new 50/50 power split in the engines. While the Red Bull car will present a different driving experience, his additional year of racing is expected to provide him with the confidence needed to overcome any difficulties.
Hadjar experienced some car issues at the beginning of the year but has consistently placed in the top six during the last seven rounds. Lawson aims to achieve a similar level of performance, with a top eight finish considered a passing mark for the weekend. He is focused on securing a positive outcome, acknowledging the inherent challenges.
Tsunoda’s Unexpected Return
Yuki Tsunoda expressed his eagerness to return to the track, stating he had been “dying to be in the car.” His surprise return to the grid at the Dutch Grand Prix provides an opportunity to showcase his capabilities. Tsunoda will be rejoining his former team, Racing Bulls, filling Lawson’s seat for the weekend.
The news of Hadjar’s wrist injury led to Lawson’s promotion, creating an opening alongside Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls for Tsunoda. He lost his full-time seat at the conclusion of last season, subsequently transitioning to a test and reserve driver role for both sister teams. In this capacity, he has attended most of this season’s races, closely observing how Max Verstappen, Hadjar, Lawson, and Lindblad have adapted to the new regulations.
Tsunoda confirmed that he had less than two days to prepare for his comeback and will need to quickly adjust to the current generation of cars. He received the call about potentially racing this weekend while in Greece. He described feeling a mix of excitement and doubt, but ultimately, the confirmation of his participation brought significant excitement, and he feels physically prepared. He noted that he will be in the seat for this weekend, with his continued participation dependent on Hadjar’s recovery. His objective for the weekend is to enjoy the experience and deliver his best performance.
Racing Bulls recently surpassed Alpine to secure fifth place in the standings and aims to solidify its position as the ‘best of the rest’ in the remaining rounds, setting a high benchmark for Tsunoda. He views this as a challenge he is ready to meet, drawing on his years of experience with the team. Tsunoda sees this weekend as a chance to demonstrate his worth, openly expressing his desire to secure a permanent place in the sport. Vacancies for the 2027 grid are diminishing as many teams are retaining their current line-ups, but Tsunoda is aware that circumstances can change rapidly and hopes to maximise this initial one-off return. He believes there is no better time to drive and demonstrate his abilities rather than just discussing them, and he looks forward to hitting the track in the current car.
Source: rnz.co.nz
