Helmut Marko Reveals the Role of Yuki Tsunoda’s Crash in Red Bull’s 2025 F1 Driver Decision

In an exclusive interview with Kleine Zeitung, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko shed light on how a fateful incident involving Yuki Tsunoda at Silverstone in 2022 influenced the team’s driver choices for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The Pivotal Role of Yuki Tsunoda’s Crash and Its Aftermath

Marko explained that Tsunoda’s inconsistent performance and occasional mistakes, most notably his crash with Pierre Gasly at Silverstone, played a significant role in the team’s decision-making process. This incident, he said, marked the beginning of a decisive phase for Red Bull.

In contrast, Liam Lawson delivered impressive performances under pressure from the get-go. However, Marko admitted that the decision to favor Lawson over Tsunoda was not entirely justified in retrospect.

The aftermath of Tsunoda’s crash at Silverstone had far-reaching consequences. Debris from the incident damaged the underbody of Max Verstappen’s car, costing him a potential race win. This incident left an indelible mark on Adrian Newey, who was enraged by the incident at the time.

The Departure of Adrian Newey and Its Implications

Known as one of the best designers in modern F1, Newey’s sudden announcement of his departure from Red Bull in 2024 sent shockwaves through the paddock. After nearly two decades with the team, he entered gardening leave in early September, effectively severing ties with the team.

Interestingly, Newey was not directly involved in the decision to put Lawson in the Red Bull seat when the incident occurred. His wife, Amanda Newey, quickly clarified this point.

Lawson’s Tenure at Red Bull and Its Challenges

Lawson’s tenure as a lead team driver was short-lived. After just two race weekends, he was demoted to Racing Bulls, with Tsunoda taking his place following a four-year wait in the sister team.

The struggles experienced by Lawson seemed to be connected to the challenging nature of the RB21, a car that even Verstappen is finding difficult to master this season. Leaving the lead team without scoring any points in two weekends, Lawson’s exit was swift but not entirely unexpected, except for the driver himself.

Lawson’s Reflections on His Departure

In an interview with Sky Sports, Lawson expressed his surprise at being demoted, stating, “It was definitely a shock, honestly. It’s not something that I saw coming.” He further added that the discussions they were having weren’t leaning in this direction, making his exit all the more unexpected.