Lawson’s “Mega” Comeback Pushes Tsunoda to Up His Game Amidst Red Bull Promotion Battle

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The fierce competition for a potential Red Bull promotion is heating up as Liam Lawson’s impressive performance at the United States Grand Prix has raised the stakes for Yuki Tsunoda. With Lawson’s impactful return, Red Bull’s Team Principal Laurent Mekies believes that Tsunoda will need to find a new level of performance to secure his place in the lineup.

Lawson’s Return

Lawson, who returned to Red Bull’s satellite team for the final six races of the 2024 season, seized his opportunity in Austin with stellar results in qualifying and race performance. Mekies described Lawson’s weekend as “mega impressive” and a testament to the New Zealander’s preparation and commitment over the past year. Lawson’s consistent efforts behind the scenes paid off as he took third place in Q1 and executed a remarkable charge from 19th to 9th in the race, becoming the only Red Bull satellite driver to score points that weekend.

Mekies praised Lawson’s race-craft, emphasizing how his aggressive defense against Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in Saturday’s sprint race showed his readiness to perform under pressure:“He was already not overthinking things and just defending his positions in the right way – that’s what you want to see with this sort of guy.”

For Lawson, this “just about perfect” weekend is a crucial move in Red Bull’s ongoing search for a reliable teammate to complement Max Verstappen in 2025. With Sergio Perez struggling to meet the team’s high standards in recent races, Lawson’s ability to deliver could influence Red Bull’s plans.

Tsunoda’s Reaction

Tsunoda, who has shown resilience against competitors like Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo, faces perhaps his strongest teammate challenge yet in Lawson. Mekies acknowledged that Lawson’s strategic decisions and race execution in Austin pushed Tsunoda into uncharted territory. Lawson’s use of a reverse one-stop strategy, which started him on hard tires and allowed him to stay out longer, saw him overcutting Tsunoda and taking advantage of less congested track time to finish higher up.

Mekies empathized with Tsunoda’s frustration, admitting that such a strategy call is rare and challenging, especially for a driver accustomed to battling in tight midfield packs. Yet he noted that this competition might benefit both drivers:“It is absolutely an opportunity for him to reach another level. Again, it’s exactly what we want – two teammates that push each other.”

Red Bull’s Fight for Sixth Place

With Haas now two points ahead in the standings for sixth place, Red Bull’s satellite team has turned to Lawson and Tsunoda’s renewed synergy to close the gap. Mekies explained that Red Bull’s mid-season struggles stemmed from upgrades that didn’t pan out as expected. But after extensive adjustments, the team has found a working setup that could empower both drivers to extract the car’s potential in the final five races.

Mekies shared his confidence in the team’s direction after seeing Lawson’s impact in Austin:

“Hopefully, there is more potential in it. We are leaving here two points down on Haas…But it gives us good confidence that we can take up the fight with Yuki and Liam.”

Lawson’s Arrival: A New Dimension for Red Bull’s Future

The United States Grand Prix has shown Red Bull that Lawson’s skillset and determination bring a valuable asset to the lineup, while also pushing Tsunoda into higher performance. Both drivers now carry Red Bull’s hopes as they tackle the last few races and the ever-intensifying battle for sixth. In Mekies’ words, this competitive environment may unlock new heights for Tsunoda and Lawson alike, as they each strive for the opportunity to rise to the top tier with Red Bull.