Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, no teammate has been able to match Max Verstappen’s race pace. Is it a lack of talent? A curse? Or is Verstappen simply performing at a level no one else can reach? The latest driver to struggle in Red Bull’s high-pressure second seat is Kiwi rookie Liam Lawson. Despite his talent, Lawson has failed to meet the expectations of a Red Bull driver, reigniting the debate over why so many promising talents falter in that role. Let’s dive into the so-called ‘Red Bull second seat curse’ and the challenges that continue to hinder Verstappen’s teammates.

A Car Built for Max?

Red Bull is Verstappen’s team—there’s no question about it. His feedback directly influences the car’s development, shaping it around his aggressive driving style. Verstappen thrives in a car with a pointy front end and high-speed cornering capability, but his teammates have often struggled to adapt. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and even Sergio Perez all found themselves unable to match the Dutchman’s consistency, leading to speculation that the RB-series cars are simply too tailored to Verstappen’s needs.

Pierre Gasly (2019)

Gasly was promoted from Toro Rosso in 2019 to replace Ricciardo, but he struggled massively while Verstappen delivered podiums. After finishing a distant seventh in the championship—193 points behind Verstappen—Gasly was demoted mid-season back to Toro Rosso.

Alex Albon (2019-2020)

Albon replaced Gasly and initially showed promise, finishing eighth in 2019. However, his sophomore season was underwhelming. While he managed two podiums, he ended the 2020 season in seventh, a massive 109 points behind Verstappen. Red Bull opted to replace him with an experienced driver outside their academy.

Sergio Perez (2021-24)

Perez’s arrival in 2021 brought hope. Unlike his predecessors, he was an F1 veteran and not a Red Bull academy driver. Initially, he provided solid support, most notably in Verstappen’s 2021 title fight. Over three seasons, he improved his championship standings from fourth to second. But cracks began to show in 2023—his qualifying performances faltered, and his inability to back up Verstappen strategically became evident. Despite the dominant RB19, Perez finished 285 points behind Verstappen in 2024, leading Red Bull to replace him with Liam Lawson for the 2025 season.

Liam Lawson (2025)

Lawson entered the season with high expectations but struggled from the outset. In Australia, he qualified P18 and failed to finish the race. In China, his struggles worsened, qualifying P20 for both the sprint and main race, finishing both outside the points. Meanwhile, Verstappen secured a podium in the sprint race and 18 points across the weekend, highlighting the vast performance gap between the two.

The narrative was familiar: a talented driver excelling outside of Red Bull suddenly underperforming in the second seat. Gasly has now flourished at Alpine, Albon is a key figure at Williams, and Perez had been a consistent force at Racing Point. The question remained—was it the car, the environment, or both?

A Bad Look for Red Bull

Red Bull’s ruthless approach to driver management only intensifies the pressure. The team has a history of abrupt mid-season changes, and Helmut Marko’s public criticism does little to instil confidence. Unlike Perez, who had the backing of significant sponsors, Lawson lacked any external security, making him more vulnerable to immediate replacement.

The timing of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix only worsened the situation for Lawson. With Honda pushing for greater representation at Red Bull, Yuki Tsunoda—who had shown strong performances at VCARB—emerged as a prime candidate to take over. Marko himself praised Tsunoda, stating:

“Yuki is a different Yuki from the years before. He is in the form of his life. Obviously he changed his management. He has a different approach. He’s more mature. It took a while, but now it looks like it’s working.”

On March 27, 2025, Red Bull confirmed Lawson’s demotion to VCARB, with Tsunoda taking his place at Suzuka. This made Lawson the shortest-serving Red Bull driver in history, lasting just two races before being replaced.

🗣️ "Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car. We welcome him to the Team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21."#F1 || #RedBullRacing

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 27, 2025

While the move benefited Honda and Tsunoda, it did little to help Red Bull’s reputation. Even Verstappen himself expressed frustration over the constant driver changes. This instability raises concerns about Red Bull’s long-term strategy—if no driver can survive alongside Verstappen, what does that mean for the team’s ability to develop future stars?

For Lawson, his focus now shifts to proving himself at VCARB. While this setback could be damaging, his talent remains undeniable. If he can deliver strong performances for the rest of the season, he may yet have a future in F1.

We can confirm that @LiamLawson30 will drive for the Team from the #JapaneseGP 👊#F1 #VCARB

— Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team (@visacashapprb) March 27, 2025

As Red Bull’s second seat continues to claim talented drivers, one thing is clear—it’s one of the toughest jobs in motorsport. Whether due to an unforgiving car, immense pressure, or internal politics, the role remains a poisoned chalice for anyone not named Max Verstappen.

For now, the curse claims another victim in Liam Lawson. But as the silly season heats up in F1’s 75th year, the question remains: who’s next?

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The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix delivered a spectacle packed with drama, redemption, and heartbreak. The Shanghai International Circuit, returning to the F1 calendar with renewed intensity, played host to a weekend that tested the limits of strategy, reliability, and composure. From McLaren’s historic dominance to Ferrari’s crushing disqualification, every corner of the paddock had a story. The rain never arrived, but chaos did — in pit lanes, brake systems, and the stewards’ office. With eight teams scoring points and key contenders faltering under scrutiny, the Chinese Grand Prix reminded the world just how brutal and beautiful Formula 1 can be.

Papaya Perfection: McLaren’s Impeccable Execution

McLaren stole the spotlight with a commanding 1-2 finish, their first in China since 2011 and 50th in team history. Oscar Piastri was clinical from pole, managing a defensive launch into Turn 1 before stretching a lead that only briefly slipped during pit cycles. Despite late-race pressure, he stayed cool.

“It’s been an incredible weekend; the car has been mega the whole time… we’ve secured this result through hard work.”

Teammate Lando Norris fought through a mid-race traffic jam and a heart-stopping late brake issue but brought the car home for P2. “A tough race with tyre management,” Norris admitted, “but the team executed it well.”

Team Principal Andrea Stella praised both drivers: “We were managing an issue towards the end which added some tension, but Lando and the team handled it brilliantly.”

Silver Linings at Mercedes: Russell Leads, Antonelli Learns

George Russell flew the flag for Mercedes, delivering a smooth and strategic drive to finish third — his second podium in as many races. “P3 was the maximum for us today,” he said. “The McLarens were just a little bit too quick.” Russell executed a clever undercut to leapfrog Norris momentarily but ultimately lacked the pace to maintain it.

Russel P3 (Credits: mercedesamgf1)

Rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli wasn’t as lucky. Floor damage from lap one debris left him fighting the car all race. “I struggled with the rear… it definitely hindered my pace,” he said after finishing eighth. Still, both cars scored points, and Mercedes left Shanghai satisfied with steady momentum.

Red Bull’s Recovery: Verstappen Climbs, Lawson Slips

Max Verstappen endured a sluggish start, dropping places early but clawed back to P4 by race’s end — showing once again his ability to maximize difficult days. Red Bull went aggressive with tyre strategy, and while Verstappen managed his mediums and hards well, he never had the pace to challenge McLaren or Mercedes.

“The beginning, it was not easy,” said Verstappen (Credits: Formula1)

Teammate Liam Lawson, however, struggled. A miscalculated setup and balance issues saw him finish outside the points in 12th. The team acknowledged they were “surprised by the lack of grip” and will be looking to regroup quickly ahead of Japan.

There’s speculation in the paddock about Tsunoda swapping teams with Lawson as early as the Japanese Grand Prix. (Credits:formula1)

Ferrari’s Fall: From Points to Penalty

Ferrari’s day unravelled hours after the checkered flag. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were disqualified post-race — Leclerc for an underweight car, and Hamilton for excessive plank wear. On track, both had been competitive, with Leclerc in podium contention and Hamilton salvaging points after a tough qualifying. But the stewards’ rulings erased all gains. “It’s gutting,” a Ferrari spokesperson said. “These weren’t performance-enhancing issues, but the rules are the rules.”

The double DQ cost Ferrari a potential double top-six finish and sent shockwaves through the paddock. Meanwhile, the disqualification handed unexpected points to Haas, Williams, and others.

Midfield Madness: Haas, Williams and Alpine Seize the Shake-Up

Haas turned fortune into results. Esteban Ocon, cool and consistent, finished fifth, while rookie Oliver Bearman brought it home in P8 after Hamilton and Leclerc’s DQs. “A fantastic result for the whole team,” said Haas boss Ayao Komatsu.

Williams had a mixed but encouraging weekend. Albon recovered from a poor start, led briefly during a long first stint, and finished 7th on his birthday after late-race gains and post-race disqualifications. Sainz continued to struggle with pace but his first points for Williams, finishing 10th after disqualifications. Albon praised the team’s progress, saying the points showed “valuable” improvement. Team boss James Vowles credited strong teamwork and backed Sainz to bounce back.

Alpine had a mixed day: Pierre Gasly was disqualified like Leclerc for an underweight car, while Jack Doohan saw points finish slip away due to a five-second penalty for forcing another car off track. The FIA cited “potentially dangerous driving,” bringing Doohan’s total to 5 points — just 7 shy of a race ban. “We’ll regroup, but we’re clearly leaving points on the table,” Alpine admitted. Jack Doohan’s tough weekend in Shanghai got worse post-race, as he was handed 4 penalty points on his super licence.

Points, Pitfalls, and Pain for Aston, Bulls & Sauber

Aston Martin had a bittersweet Sunday. Fernando Alonso was the race’s only retirement, sidelined early by overheating rear brakes. Lance Stroll, however, ran long on hards and was rewarded post-race with P9 after disqualifications. “We just aren’t quick enough,” Stroll admitted, despite battling hard.

Racing Bulls suffered another strategic misfire. Their two-stop gamble backfired in cooler conditions, dropping both cars out of the points. Isack Hadjar finished a close P11, narrowly missing his first F1 point. Yuki Tsunoda’s late front wing failure sealed a forgettable day. “Frustrating,” said Team Principal Laurent Mekies, “but the pace is there.”

Kick Sauber endured a rough opening lap that derailed their race. Nico Hülkenberg picked up floor damage after a wide moment in Turn 3, while rookie Gabriel Bortoleto spun early and spent the race learning the limits. Both cars finished, but out of the points. “Encouraging final stint pace,” said Beat Zehnder, “but still work to do.”

2025 Chinese Grand Prix – 5 Key Highlights

1. Oscar Piastri led McLaren to a dominant 1-2 finish ahead of Lando Norris, marking the team’s 50th one-two and first in China since 2011.
2. Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Pierre Gasly were disqualified post-race, reshuffling the final results and handing unexpected points to several midfield teams.
3. George Russell secured P3 for Mercedes, while Max Verstappen recovered from a poor start to finish fourth; Liam Lawson finished outside the points.
4. Esteban Ocon scored a strong P5 for Haas, Albon finished P7 on his birthday for Williams, and Carlos Sainz took his first points with the team.
5. Alonso retired early due to brake failure, Stroll was promoted to P9, Racing Bulls’ two-stop strategy backfired again, and both Kick Sauber cars finished outside the points after early setbacks.

Next Race

All eyes now turn to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, where teams will be looking to build momentum or bounce back after Shanghai’s shake-up. The fast, flowing corners of this iconic track demand precision and balance — a true driver’s circuit that often separates the contenders from the midfield. For McLaren, it’s a chance to prove their pace is no fluke. Red Bull and Ferrari will be eager to rebound, especially amid growing speculation of a possible driver swap between Lawson and Tsunoda. With just ten days to reset, the stage is set for another high-stakes showdown in Japan.

Drivers’ Standing

Constructors’ Standings

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Lewis Hamilton secured first-ever victory for Scuderia Ferrari by dominating the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race in Shanghai. In an astonishing performance, exhibited his race brilliance, tire management mastery and defense mechanism. Starting from pole position after an incredible Sprint Shootout session, Hamilton got the perfect launch off the line and controlled the race from the front. Piastri and Verstappen were engaged in action but Hamilton remained off-limits. Hamilton commanded the circuit, finishing 6.8 seconds past the Australian.

This wasn’t just another win—it was a statement

This victory is more than just Hamilton’s first in red, it marks Ferrari’s first-ever sprint race victory since the format was introduced in 2021. The team has struggled in recent years to match McLaren and Red Bull’s dominance, but with Hamilton’s experience and determination, theres a new positive atmosphere in Maranello.

“Wow, this one feels special. To take my first win in red—man, what a feeling! The team has worked so hard, and I’m so happy to deliver for them. We’re just getting started!” – Hamilton(post Sprint)

Former team, Mercedes couldn’t stop applauding.Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, Hamilton’s former mentor and team principle, had to acknowledge the achievement.

“Ferrari looks strong, and Lewis—well, he’s Lewis. You can never count him out.” – Toto Wolff(post Sprint)

Lap-by-Lap breakdown

Lap 1: A Flawless Start

Lewis Hamilton set afloat the line beautifully, defending Piastri into Turn 1. The reigning World Champion starting 2rd was forced to keep his guards against George Russel in a Mercedes, effortlessly allowing Hamilton to detach from the front row. Slowly creating a gap of 1 second by lap 3.

Lap 3 – 10: Tyre Management, Benching rivals and Controlling Pace

With clear air, Lewis Hamilton set out keeping his lead by 1-2 seconds each lap. Verstappen inching by Hamilton supported by DRS and Slip Stream, lost ground as tyres were overheated and was requested by Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen’s race engineer to retreat. Hamilton began stretching his advantage, setting fastest lap after fastest lap. Meanwhile, a fierce battle between Verstappen and Russell gave Ferrari some breathing room.

Lap 11 – 15: Red Bull Threat Fades, Piastri Vs Max

Lewis Hamilton perfectly managed his tires, while Piastri’s mediums began to overheat. Verstappen faced difficulty in managing his rear tyres. However, Hamilton looked unstoppable out there. Ferrari advised Hamilton to push for two laps to break Piastri’s DRS threat thoroughly.He responded with a flaming sector 2, pulling the gap to 3.8 seconds. Verstappen further fell back fighting his way past piastri but failed to make up.

Lap 16 – 18: Piastri hold tight

Verstappen dropped to 6.5 seconds behind Hamilton, unfortunately ruling him out of the battle for the win. Piastri, however, was still pushing hard, refusing to give up on the chance of a late attack. Piastri, losing grip, was instructed by McLaren to settle for P2 and avoid Verstappen.

Lap 19: One Last Push

As the checkered flag waved, Hamilton crossed the line 6.8 seconds clear, punching the air in celebration. A new chapter in Ferrari’s history had begun.

Comeback of a Legend

When Hamilton announced his shock move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, the world watched with anticipation. With Red Bull still a threat and McLaren looking strong, the Chinese GP will be another battle. But if today’s Sprint Race was any indication, Hamilton and Ferrari are back in the fight.

Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari win wasn’t just a victory—it was a declaration. After years of Red Bull dominance, the Tifosi have a new hero in red.While the Sprint Race doesn’t impact the Grand Prix grid, it provides valuable points—and an even more valuable psychological edge.

Forza Ferrari. Forza Lewis. The fight is on!

Desi Racing Co. brings you the latest updates and insights from Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, and more! Stay connected for in-depth motorsport analysis—follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn for all the latest news and updates.