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A Red Bull insider has exposed simmering tensions within the team, revealing that four-time world champion Max Verstappen is deeply displeased with a sudden driver swap just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Christian Horner led squad shocked fans by promoting Yuki Tsunoda, a long-time Racing Bulls driver, to replace struggling Liam Lawson ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Lawson’s underwhelming debut—marked by a DNF in Melbourne and a 16th-place finish in Shanghai—left Red Bull scrambling to salvage their Constructors’ Championship hopes.
While Tsunoda’s promotion aims to stabilize the team, sources confirm Verstappen is at odds with the decision, hinting at internal friction over Red Bull’s ruthless pursuit of results.
Red Bull's bold gamble: “Unhappy Max Verstappen” vs. Tsunoda’s experience
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, the architect of the team’s most controversial decisions, has dropped a bombshell: Max Verstappen’s frustration with Tsunoda’s promotion is real, but necessary. The Austrian stalwart admitted,
“We know Max is not happy. But we need two cars at the front. Not only for the Constructors’ Championship, but also to help Max to his fifth world title. Then you can achieve more strategically in races.” Marko doubled down on the logic, emphasizing Tsunoda’s value: “We can use Yuki’s experience and form now. That counts. At the end of the day, that is to the advantage of the team and that also means to the advantage of Max. (via ESPN)”
The 81-year-old strategist framed the move as a calculated risk. With Red Bull’s dominance under threat from Ferrari and McLaren, Yuki Tsunoda’s consistency—evident in his 2025 qualifying performances and points finishes for Racing Bulls—offers immediate tactical leverage. While Max Verstappen thrives as a lone frontrunner, Marko argues that Tsunoda’s ability to disrupt rival strategies and secure crucial constructor points could shield Red Bull from mid-season pitfalls.
Critics, however, question whether Tsunoda can handle the pressure of partnering F1’s most dominant driver. The Japanese driver, though seasoned, has never raced under Red Bull’s championship-or-bust spotlight. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s discontent highlights a recurring theme: his preference for a stable, predictable teammate dynamic. The Dutchman’s previous friction with Sergio Pérez resurfaced last year over team orders, and Yuki Tsunoda’s fiery on-track persona could reignite similar clashes.
For now, Marko remains unapologetic. Red Bull’s cutthroat philosophy has delivered seven driver titles since 2010, and Tsunoda’s promotion aligns with their “win now” ethos. Whether Max Verstappen’s frustration softens—or escalates—could hinge on Tsunoda’s performance at Suzuka, a circuit where Red Bull cannot afford another misstep.
