Red Bull hoping to save Verstappen future with driver swap - Marko
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Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has revealed that the team's recent driver swap –promoting Yuki Tsunoda to Red Bull Racing and relegating Liam Lawson to Racing Bulls – was partly motivated by a crucial need to enhance the RB21 car's performance.
This move, the earliest driver change in Red Bull's history, aims to secure Max Verstappen's fifth consecutive drivers' title and prevent performance clauses in his contract from triggering an exit.
However, time is pressing for Red Bull to improve its fortunes, with F1's upcoming races likely to determine Verstappen's mindset for 2026, when the sport ushers in a full regulation overhaul.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Marko acknowledged that failing to provide the Dutchman with a strong enough car could allow him to depart Red Bull well before the end of his current contract with the team that runs until 2028.
"We have this huge motivation to achieve this fifth title," Marko explained.
"We also know that if we don't deliver for Max, all the top drivers have performance clauses in their contract, so we have to make sure he gets a car where he can win."
With Verstappen trailing championship leader Lando Norris by eight points after two races, Marko remains optimistic.
"It's just two races. We are eight points behind and the whole team is focused to achieve this fifth title – which we didn't make with Vettel, but this time there is a possibility," the Austrian said.
Addressing the RB21's Challenges
The RB21's drivability has been a focal point. Verstappen, supportive of Lawson, argued that the car's difficulty hindered the rookie's performance. A fact that Marko acknowledged.
"RB21 is not the fastest car, but nevertheless very difficult to drive. Max can handle it but not — in this stage — Liam," he said.
"We were worried his self-confidence is so damaged that he couldn't bring his normal performance.
"There was a very constructive meeting last Thursday, Max with the engineers, and they discussed how to go forward to improve the car and make it more drivable and to have a wider range of drivability, and all that went very positive."
A Strategic Play with Tsunoda
Marko sees Tsunoda's experience as a key factor to boost the performance of Red Bull's car.
"Tsunoda made a big step. Now in his fifth year, he's a much stronger personality. He changed his management, he's far more mature," he said.
"He has more confidence and he did do very good races, it's just the strategy didn't work at Racing Bulls. But in this case with a very difficult car, experience is something which will help."
Marko also underlined Tsunoda's role in the constructors' championship battle and his potential to assist Verstappen strategically.
"On the other hand, we have two drivers for the constructors' championship but also to support Max strategy-wise — if you have two drivers top five or eight, it is easier to max a strategy that favors the number-one driver."
Despite the quick decision to replace Lawson, Marko confirmed that Tsunoda will remain alongside Verstappen for the rest of the season.
Schumacher: Red Bull Must Improve or Verstappen Will Leave
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes the next few races will determine Verstappen's future at Red Bull.
Speaking to the Formel1.de YouTube channel ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Schumacher warned that if the team cannot improve its car soon, Verstappen could decide to walk away.
"I think Max will leave the team. Especially if nothing happens in the next two, three or four races, because then the decision will be made," Schumacher said.
With Red Bull working urgently to refine the RB21 and keep Verstappen competitive, the coming rounds could prove decisive in shaping the team's future and its bid for a fifth consecutive title.
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