Red Bull Racing's Second F1 Seat: A Curse or Just High Expectations?

Is the second Red Bull Racing seat where F1 careers go to perish?

No... definitely not. Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon survived and have had long careers in F1 after their stints at RBR, BUT the question in many F1 fans' minds is - what on earth is going on that drivers can not match up to Max Verstappen in the same machinery?

Over the years, the 2nd seat at Red Bull has claimed multiple victims, leading many to believe it is “cursed,” but is this bad luck, or simply the result of an unforgiving team structure?

The Graveyard of Red Bull Talent

It all started at the end of 2018, when Daniel Ricciardo announced his departure from Red Bull Racing to move to Renault. This is where the problems started for Red Bull. Max Verstappen had already proven his worth. Youngest grand prix winner, multiple wins under his belt, AND what Red Bull leadership recognized as the star quality of a GENERATION.

Red Bull has cycled through a string of drivers hoping to find a worthy teammate for Verstappen. Here’s a look at those who have fallen short:

Pierre Gasly (2019) – Lasted 12 Races

Pierre was promoted after Ricciardo left and lasted only 12 races before being demoted back to Toro Rosso. The kicker is - Pierre wasn't even performing that poorly. On average he finished in the points in 9 of the 12 races. The only thing missing? The consistent podiums that Max Verstappen was scoring.

Alex Albon (2019 - 2020) - Lasted 1.5 Seasons

Albon was given a promotion in 2019 mid-season to replace Pierre Gasly. During the back half of the 2019 season, he (points and retirement-wise) was on the same course as Pierre Gasly. In 2020, the season impacted due to COVID - Alex did under score Max, but had the same number of retirements and almost always stayed in the points. Again, the thing missing? Consistent podiums.

Sergio Pérez (2021 - 2024) - Lasted 4 Seasons

Checo (Sergio Perez) was always Max Verstappen's most 'worthy teammate'. He won 5 races with Red Bull Racing, but struggled IMMENSELY during the 2024 F1 Season. While in 2021, 2022, and 2023 Checo scored multiple wins for RBR (including finishing 3rd in the drivers' championship in 2022 and 2nd in 2023), in 2024 Sergio Perez was only even on the PODIUM 4 times.

We could dive into the politics and story surrounding Sergio Perez in 2024, but that would take about 50 pages and the most intense deep dive you've ever seen. He performed very well in 2021 - 2023, and, frankly, lasted the entirety of 2024 due to a few possible factors:

1. Monetary reasons and partnerships: This was broken down in an earlier piece we did, so please check that out for context!
2. Investment - This was his 4th season at Red Bull, and the team/ Checo had a positive synergy up until the turning point of 2024.
3. Fan and star quality/ Marketability - Checo was easily one of the most popular drivers of the current F1 era.
4. Wanting to avoid another mid-season swap. No explanation needed.

One thing was for certain from all 3 of these drivers, though - Max Verstappen was faster than them... and they said just as much in later interviews.

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Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda

This is again one of those topics that I could dive into for HOURS. Why was Lawson signed over Yuki? Why is Yuki continuously passed over for Red Bull promotion from the VCARB? Is Yuki the ONE driver who can finally understand how to be on par with Max for years to come? Are there even years to come with Max Verstappen in a Red Bull?

I'm writing this article on the day that the RUMOR is breaking (yet to be confirmed by Red Bull Racing, Yuki, Liam, or Formula 1) that after only 2 races in the Red Bull, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda will swap places and Yuki will be the new Red Bull Second Seat.

Frankly, this one I would understand - because to many fans, Liam Lawson was not ready or 'deserving' of the 2nd seat at Red Bull. Especially when compared to Yuki Tsunoda who has been waiting for promotion to this seat since 2021.

To make things very pointed: Liam Lawson has not scored a single point yet in 2025 - Australian Grand Prix (DNF), Chinese Grand Prix Sprint, or Chinese Grand Prix... marking the worst start to a season for a Red Bull Racing driver. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, who, as a driver on VCARB (Red Bull Junior/Sister Team) has OVERPERFORMED- albeit with some bad luck out of his control.

Why could the rumor that Yuki is swapping with Liam before the Japanese Grand Prix be true?

There are a couple of obvious reasons:

• Honda's Influence: As Red Bull's engine supplier and a supporter of Tsunoda's career, Honda has reportedly played a role in advocating for Yuki throughout the years.
• Strategic Timing: Red Bull Racing is anything but popular right now.... However, introducing the Japanese Driver as their new 2nd seat before the Japanese Grand Prix....? Well the storylines write themselves
• Performance: Red Bull Racing is starting on a MAJOR back foot after the first 2 races only netted points by that of Max Verstappen. They are currently sitting in 3rd in the Drivers Championship - behind McLaren and Mercedes.

Frankly, analyzing Liam's 2024 performance in the VCARB, next to Yuki Tsunoda, results were on par with the Japanese driver. There was nothing truly separating the pair. However, after these first 2 races, what I see (and possibly what Red Bull sees) is a difference in experience level and mental capacity/ ability to cope with the pressure. Yuki - a 4 year veteran of the sport, versus Liam - essentially a rookie.

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The Verstappen Factor

It’s impossible to discuss the second seat without mentioning Max Verstappen, himself. He truly is a generational talent. Max is a driver who can extract the absolute maximum from a car—even when it’s difficult to handle. He is so well known for aggressive driving style and ability to adapt - meaning that any teammate is already at a disadvantage.

Although this is a major topic of discussion as of late, it is very obvious that Red Bull cars are very tricky to drive for people who do not share the same driving style as Max Verstappen. It takes longer and is generally more difficult for anyone to adapt to that... and yes I will stand on the hill and yell from the mountaintops - that car is made for Max Verstappen and Max Verstappen only.

Alex Albon finally all but confirmed this running suspicion of the 'Max Bull Racing' car in a recent interview saying,

"My driving style is a bit on the smooth side - I like a car that has a bit more front end, quite sharp, quite direct. Max does too, but his level of sharp and direct is a whole different level. If you bump up sensitivity completely to the maximum, that's kind of how it feels. It makes you so sharp that you end up feeling tense."

So, answer to the question I originally posed? High expectations... Changing drivers' own mentalities and pushing their skill level to be on pace with Max.

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All in all, Red Bull Racing has never shied away from making 'difficult' decisions similar to what we are seeing now with Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda... They are a team that built themselves from the ground up - and are always fighting for the glory that comes with Max Verstappen in a Red Bull F1 Car.

So, no, it's not a curse that Daniel Ricciardo placed on the seat when he left. It's not Daniil Kyvat yelling from the void that Max should've never replaced him... and Alex, Pierre, and Checo certainly did not get together and perform a spell on the car.

The expectations that are placed on Red Bull drivers are simply this: Be Max Verstappen's twin... or get out. We will throw you in the deep end and you MUST swim. Therein lies what may be the most difficult job in Formula 1... The second seat at Red Bull Racing.

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