Helmut Marko confirms Yuki Tsunoda will see out the season at Red Bull after brutal sacking of Liam Lawson

• Yuki Tsunoda is set to remain with Red Bull for the rest of the campaign
• Liam Lawson was dismissed after he struggled in the first two races 

By JEORGE BIRD

Yuki Tsunoda will remain with Red Bull for the rest of the campaign, adviser Helmut Marko has confirmed.

Tsunoda stepped up from junior team Racing Bulls following the brutal dismissal of Liam Lawson.

Lawson was dismissed after he struggled for form in the first two races of the season.

Firstly, Lawson crashed out of the race during the Australian Grand Prix. The decision to dismiss him came after he finished in 12th place in China.

Tsunoda will now be Max Verstappen’s team mate and will be involved in his home Grand Prix in Japan next weekend.

Marko told Formel1.de: ‘Yuki Tsunoda will finish the season.

Helmut Marko has confirmed Yuki Tsunoda will stay with Red Bull for the rest of the season

Marko stated that it was necessary to turn to Tsunoda following Liam Lawson’s struggles

Lawson was demoted after he struggled during the first two races of the season

Marko praised Tsunoda for the improvements that he has made.

He said: ‘Yuki Tsunoda is a fast driver, we know that, but he’s had his ups and downs.

‘That’s why we thought Lawson was the better and stronger candidate. But Yuki has undergone a transformation. He changed his management, and in this situation, this was simply the best option.’ 

Tsunoda was selected to step up after simulator sessions took place following the Chinese Grand Prix.

Marko said: ‘We had to act quickly. And everything was positive. Also the technical feedback, which he had often been accused of lacking, that he didn’t understand the technical side or couldn’t set up a car – that also turned out to be incorrect.’ 

Verstappen was left frustrated following the manner in which Lawson was demoted.

The 27-year-old liked an Instagram post which indicated that Christian Horner’s decision to dismiss Lawson at such an early stage amounted to ‘bullying’.

‘We know Max is not happy,’ Marko told De Telegraaf. ‘But we need two cars at the front. Not only for the constructors’ championship, but also to help Max to his fifth world title. Then you can achieve more strategically in races.

Max Verstappen was frustrated with the decision to dismiss his team-mate at an early stage

‘We can use Yuki’s experience and form now. That counts. At the end of the day, that is to the advantage of the team. And that also means to the advantage of Max.’

Lawson has been demoted to Racing Bulls and will now be given the opportunity to bounce back from his dismissal.

Writing on Instagram, Lawson admitted that the situation was ‘tough’. 

Lawson wrote: ‘Being a Red Bull Racing driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it’s what I’ve worked towards my whole life.

‘It’s tough, but I’m grateful for everything that’s brought me to this point. 

‘To every one of you who’s stood by me, thank you for all the support it means the world.

‘Thank you to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls for the warm welcome, I’m excited and ready to go to work at one of my favourite places.’

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Helmut Marko confirms Yuki Tsunoda will see out the season at Red Bull after brutal sacking of Liam Lawson

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