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Red Bull Open to Another Max Verstappen Team Mate Change

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Highlights

  • Red Bull may change second driver alongside Verstappen this season
  • Yuki Tsunoda struggled with setup and consistency in recent races
  • Isack Hadjar scored points in five races and reached Q3 five times
  • Christian Horner says Red Bull will monitor driver situation closely
  • Verstappen trails McLarenโ€™s Oscar Piastri by 49 points
  • Fifteen grand prix weekends remain for Red Bullโ€™s second seat decision

Red Bull has not dismissed the idea of making another driver change alongside Max Verstappen before the current Formula 1 season ends. Team principal Christian Horner left the door open when asked about the future of Yuki Tsunoda and the possibility of promoting Isack Hadjar.

Red Bull has faced ongoing challenges with their second seat in 2025, as both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have collected just seven points in nine races, placing the team only fourth in the Constructorsโ€™ Championship.

Max Verstappen has not had steady support from a teammate this year, making his campaign to regain ground in the Driversโ€™ Championship more difficult. Both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at McLaren have been consistent front-runners, and as a result, Verstappen trails Piastri by 49 points.

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Without a reliable partner, Verstappen has to battle the McLaren pair alone at the front during race weekends, giving McLaren a clear advantage in strategy and defense.

Yuki Tsunoda has struggled with the RB21 recently, especially during the triple-header events at Imola, Monaco, and Spain. He has reported problems getting the right setup on his car and has struggled with confidence behind the wheel.

Although Tsunoda has reached Q3 and scored points, including one result after starting from the pit lane, his inconsistency has kept Red Bull management concerned. When pressed about a potential change, Horner hinted that the situation would continue to be monitored and said, โ€œWeโ€™ve got plenty of time on our side.โ€

One alternative for Red Bull is Isack Hadjar, who has impressed in his rookie Formula 1 season. Hadjar ranks ninth in the driving standings, having scored points in five races so far, including each of the last three.

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He has also made it to Q3 five times, showing consistent improvement after an early mistake in Australia. This form has put him in contention for a seat at Red Bull should another change be decided.

For now, Horner has signaled his intention to give Tsunoda more time and support. He emphasized that driving confidence plays a key role in performance and that Tsunoda has raw speed, but needs to put all elements together.

โ€œWe keep seeing flashes of performance. We just need to see him put it all together. I think heโ€™s capable of that,โ€ Horner said.

With fifteen grand prix weekends remaining on the 2025 calendar, pressure will remain high on Red Bullโ€™s second seat. Verstappenโ€™s title challenge depends not just on his own results but also on the strategy and stability provided by his teammate, especially in tight spots like those seen in Monaco this season (Sainz F1 Monaco fear).

Red Bull will continue to evaluate their lineup, with both Tsunoda and Hadjar under close review as the season progresses.

* The featured image is not a real photograph โ€” it was created using AI.
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John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio's Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.

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