Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium
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Motorsport.com pointed out that a Lawson-Tsunoda swap next race (Yuki's home race) is currently still under consideration - not decided yet, but likely:
"Liam Lawson could be replaced at Red Bull by Yuki Tsunoda as early as the Japanese Grand Prix, Motorsport.com understands. Amid a difficult start to the season for Lawson, Red Bull is already considering changing its driver line-up ahead of Suzuka, with Tsunoda named by paddock sources as a potential replacement. Although no final decision has been taken, discussions about such a scenario have begun – and the possibility of a driver swap between the two teams is understood to be likely." (
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/r...e-gp/10706330/).
Horner has now addressed rumors about a possible Lawson-Tsunoda swap, saying that:
"Liam’s still a very capable driver, we know that, we’re just not… for whatever reason, we’re not seeing him able to deliver that at the moment" and that they
"got a duty to look after him" and are
"going to do the best that we can to support him" (
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...4uMyzPeAXxRdLO).
Omen 1: yesterday, Verstappen already stated in Dutch press that, in his view, Lawson will be in a happier place inside a Racing Bulls car:
"If you look at the difference between the two drivers at the other teams [Tsunoda and Hadjar], they are all closer together. It also shows that our [Red Bull Racing] car is extremely tough. I think if you put Liam in the Racing Bulls car, he will go faster. I really think so. That car is easier to drive than ours. I also notice that when I talk to Liam. Last year, I didn’t think the difference between him and Yuki Tsunoda was that big. Otherwise the team wouldn’t make the choice to put him in at Red Bull either." (
https://www.planetf1.com/news/max-ve...on-performance).
Omen 2: asked about Tsunoda's performance earlier in the weekend, Helmut Marko told Motorsport.com:
"Yuki is a different Yuki from the years before. He is in the form of his life. Obviously he changed his management. He has a different approach. He's more mature. It took a while, but now it looks like it's working".
Throwback to May 2016 - a similar statement may be released prior to the Japan GP race weekend (Honda/Tsunoda's home race weekend):
