Source: REUTERS/Issei Kato
[Saba Sports News] A Red Bull F1 team internal game has been exposed, with team advisor Helmut Marko admitting that Max Verstappen was clearly dissatisfied with the “two-race demotion” of Liam Lawson. However, more explosive is the revelation by rookie driver Yuki Tsunoda that he has been promised by team principal Christian Horner that he can refuse to let Verstappen pass under certain circumstances. This statement immediately caused a stir in the paddock, as Red Bull has never allowed a second driver such autonomy in the Verstappen era. F1 technical experts point out that this is actually a disguised way for the team to balance the Dutchman, granting Tsunoda tactical freedom to prevent him from becoming another “movable roadblock” like Sergio Perez. Fans have pointed out that this personnel change hides a triple calculation: firstly, Marko uses Tsunoda to balance Verstappen’s growing influence; secondly, Horner restores the team’s image by protecting Lawson’s image; and thirdly, it allows Honda to successfully introduce its own driver at home.