#they have zero shame. throwing their driver to the wolves and letting him take the blame instead of admitting their fault

[landonor]

with every word andrea stella speaks my anger grows

[f1-motorsport-girl]

updates in f1

In the winter break we dive deep into the chaos, the drama, and the moments that leave us all staring at the screen, wondering, “How did we get here?” Today’s news? Oh, it’s not just drama. It’s a disaster, plain and simple. And as much as I hate to admit it, the Red Bull Racing Driver Program is right at the heart of it.

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: I am absolutely furious. And no, it’s not just because my favorite team is having a less-than-ideal week. It’s because Red Bull Racing—the same team that I’ve cheered for, defended, and celebrated for years—is doing something so utterly disgraceful with their driver program that I can’t stay quiet anymore.

You know what? I’m mad. And I have every damn reason to be.

Liam Lawson: The Sacrificial Lamb of the Red Bull Machine

Let’s start with Liam Lawson, the poor guy who seems to have no idea what he's walking into. And I’m not saying he’s not talented—because the kid can drive, no question. But Red Bull, in their infinite “wisdom”, think it’s a good idea to throw a rookie—someone with exactly TWO wildcard appearances—into the Red Bull seat, a car that’s designed to win the World Championship. Against Max Verstappen. Do I even need to finish this sentence? This is insanity.

Here’s the thing: Red Bull doesn’t develop drivers. They use them. This isn’t about finding a superstar; this is about throwing rookies into the fire and hoping one of them survives the burn. The Liam Lawson dilemma is a prime example of Red Bull’s broken system that’s just looking for the next “Max Verstappen” clone. Here’s a hot take: There is no next Max Verstappen. Max is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, and Red Bull is acting like they can just manufacture one out of thin air. It’s downright embarrassing.

Do you honestly think Lawson’s career won’t be ruined by this? He’s being set up to fail. And no, I’m not exaggerating. This is a disaster in the making. If Lawson struggles—even though it’s entirely likely he will—his career could be over before it even gets started. But sure, Red Bull—throw him to the wolves and see if he comes back a lion.

Yuki Tsunoda: Red Bull's "Next Max" That Never Was

And then there’s Yuki Tsunoda. Can we talk about the absolute disrespect Red Bull has shown this guy? Yuki, for all his faults, has been the one holding down the fort at AlphaTauri. He’s fought through every single issue with that car, proven his worth, and somehow still managed to extract decent results in a team that’s been barely competitive for years. But what does Red Bull do? They kick him to the curb.

Why? Because he’s not Max Verstappen. And that, my friends, is the only reason. Yuki has been nothing short of a reliable, gutsy, hard-working driver. But instead of appreciating that, Red Bull casts him aside, bringing in Liam Lawson, someone with absolutely zero experience in their car, in a bid to find the “next Max.”

And let’s not even get started on the media treatment. The whole “small angry Japanese man” joke? Yeah, that’s not funny. That’s racist, it’s demeaning, and it’s downright shameful. The guy’s got grit. He’s got talent. And instead of backing him, Red Bull uses him as a stepping stone. It’s as if they’ve written him off completely.

If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that Yuki Tsunoda deserved better. Way better.

Red Bull’s Toxic Driver System: Welcome to the Meat Grinder

So let’s step back and look at the bigger picture here. Red Bull’s driver program is fundamentally broken. It’s not about nurturing young talent—it’s about finding a replacement for Max Verstappen. That’s it. And it doesn’t matter who gets crushed in the process, as long as they can say, “Look, we’re developing the next world champion!” Spoiler alert: It’s not working.

Let’s count the ways Red Bull has burned young drivers: Gasly, Kvyat, Albon, and now possibly Lawson. The list goes on. This isn’t a coincidence. This is a toxic pattern of dropping drivers, demotivating them, and making them feel disposable.

And then there’s the job security issue. Imagine waking up every day at Red Bull, walking into that garage, and thinking, “Am I next to get thrown under the bus?” That’s the reality for anyone under contract with them. This is a place where trust doesn’t exist. It’s a place where you have to constantly watch your back. If you’re not Max, you’re expendable. Simple as that.

The Real Tragedy: Red Bull’s Legacy Is at Risk

You know what really gets me? This isn’t just about Liam Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda. This is about Red Bull’s legacy as a whole. They’ve built this empire on the back of their driver program—and now they’re burning it to the ground.

How many talented drivers will they ruin before they realize their system is fundamentally flawed? How many more Yuki Tsunodas are going to get cast aside because they don’t fit the “Max mold”? How many careers will be destroyed in the name of blind ambition?

I’m a Red Bull fan. Always have been. But right now, I’m disgusted. They’re throwing away the very talent that could secure their future, just to try and find someone who can challenge Max. But the thing is: You don’t need another Max Verstappen. Max is already doing that job—and he’s doing it better than anyone else.

Red Bull: Get It Together. Seriously.

Red Bull, you need to wake up. You’ve built a system that rewards chaos over development, fear over trust, and instability over loyalty. You’re burning bridges, and if you keep going down this path, you’re going to lose the next generation of drivers. You’ll end up with no one willing to take the risk of joining your program. Why would they? You’ve already shown you’ll discard them at the drop of a hat.

Here’s the thing: Red Bull is a great team. They’ve been dominant, they’ve changed the game, and they’ve created some of the best drivers in F1 history. But the way you’re running your driver program right now? It’s a ticking time bomb. And I don’t know how much longer the sport can ignore it.

Until next time—fix your system, Red Bull. And for the love of motorsport, stop destroying young careers.