The Red Bull Racing unravelling continues at the 2025 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix after an intriguing qualifying session.
In some ways what we know and expect is coming to fruition after the Oracle Red Bull Racing palaver over the opening two rounds (Australia and China).
Liam Lawson’s ‘demotion’ to the Racing Bulls ‘B’ team for a ‘poor’ performance is Yuki Tsunoda’s opportunity to shine in the Japanese sun. However, the limits and what appears to be inherent design faults of a difficult RB21 are bubbling to the top, juxtaposed to the extraordinary talent of World Champion Max Verstappen.
Vindication is an apt description of Lawson qualifying 14th ahead of Tsunoda’s 15th. It’s more evidence that the car is at fault and not the driver. Tsunoda is now in the firing-line but will get much less of a drumming as attention will turn more and more to the car design rather than to the driver.
Verstappen’s pole stunned commentators in Japan and is about extraordinary talent. It won’t help Red Bull’s cause having apologetically conceded that they made the wrong choice in selecting Lawson ahead of Tsunoda for the second Red Bull seat. Arguably he is no better than Lawson, just more experienced. However, that won’t be enough, and we may see more unravelling over the next few Grand Prix.
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