Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marco says the recent driver swap that took Yuki Tsunoda to Red Bull Racing and sent Liam Lawson back to the Racing Bulls has taken into consideration the performance clause that allowed Max Burstappen to leave the team.
The move is the earliest Red Bull has ever changed drivers during the season, with Marco saying his team’s priorities winning the driver’s championship at Burstappen.
“There’s this huge motivation to achieve this fifth title,” Marco told the BBC. “I also know that if we don’t deliver to Max, all the top drivers have a contract performance clause, so we need to make sure he has a car that he can win. Last Thursday we had a very constructive meeting, the biggest meeting with the engineers, improving the car, making it more driveable, having a wide range of driving capabilities, and it became very positive.
“It’s only two races. We’re eight points behind and the whole team is focused on achieving this fifth title. This wasn’t possible with Vettel, but this time it’s possible. Looking at the lap times of the hard tyre Max, it was competitive.
Verstappen is understood to support Lawson, opposed to change early in the season, saying it would be difficult to drive RB21 as the center of the New Zealanders’ struggle. However, Marco said it is clear that Tsunoda has the confidence and experience to turn to at this stage this year.
“The RB21 is not the fastest car, but it’s still very difficult to drive,” he said. “Max can handle that, but at this stage it’s not Liam,” Marco said. “We were worried that his confidence was so damaged that he couldn’t bring about his normal performance.
“Tsnoda took a big step. Now in his fifth year, he’s a much stronger personality. He changed management team. He’s much more mature. He’s more confident and raced very well.
“On the other hand, we have two drivers for the Constructors Championship, but to support them strategically as well.
Marco said that despite the quick decision to replace Lawson, he will be given the Horndas to the end of the season along with Verstappen.