Liam Lawson and the second Red Bull syndrome

It’s a syndrome that seems to persist. Red Bull, for almost ten years, seems to have only one man capable of shining in its ranks. Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure, the Austrian team has struggled with its second driver.

Pierre Gasly, Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, and now Liam Lawson. All of them have struggled against Max Verstappen. And yet, all have performed well with Racing Bulls or AlphaTauri, call the sister team what you like. Well, except for Sergio Perez, who was not in that team.

The young New Zealander delivered impressive performances with Racing Bulls during the few Grand Prix where he was given the wheel. But since his arrival at Red Bull, it’s been much more complicated. He is more accustomed to the back of the grid rather than the front.

Performances that contrast sharply with what Max Verstappen, his teammate, can produce. While the Dutchman is capable of fighting for pole position or at worst a second row, Liam Lawson struggles not to finish last.

The difference in lap times is also notable as it exceeds one second: 1.5 in Australia and 1.3 in China. It’s difficult to compete under these conditions. In the race in Shanghai, the New Zealander finished in a distant twelfth place. The most embarrassing part for him was finishing behind Isack Hadjar. Fortunately for him, Yuki Tsunoda was affected by an issue with his wing that dropped him down the ranks, otherwise the two Racing Bulls would have finished ahead of him.

So, how can we explain such a gap between the two men? First of all, for nearly ten years, all of Max Verstappen’s teammates have fallen significantly behind. Many observers have pointed to the car, which seems to suit only the four-time world champion. But this point has been dismissed by several specialists: why would engineers design a car that only pleases one driver?

But upon closer inspection, the driver with number 1 has a particular style that is quite different from the other men on the grid. Another parameter to consider: the internal pressure. While some voices suggest a good atmosphere within the Red Bull family, it’s known that drivers are often pushed to their limits. Especially by one man, Helmut Marko. The Austrian is reputed to be a very tough and demanding man, especially towards the young. Not very reassuring. Every mistake is scrutinized and has immediate repercussions on the drivers. Their mental strength and confidence take a hit each time.

With poor results and no points scored so far, Liam Lawson might end up testing his bosses’ patience. Especially since he doesn’t bring in as much money as Sergio Perez, his predecessor. Some are talking about an initial deadline in Japan to assess his performances and decide whether or not to continue the venture with him. Judging a man after just three races is difficult. But it wouldn’t be surprising for the team. Assuming the adventure with the New Zealander does not continue with Red Bull and he is demoted to Racing Bulls, it’s almost certain he would perform better with the top car.

The situation could also plunge Red Bull into deep waters. With Max Verstappen still on the grid, everything is fine. But if the Dutchman were to leave either for a competitor or another discipline, the Austrian team could find itself in big trouble. No one to exploit the car at 100%. And no one to take over the development where it stands…