Source:REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
[Saba Sports News] During the 2025 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Red Bull junior drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda engaged in a crucial battle. Lawson finished in fifth place, successfully fending off a fierce challenge from Tsunoda. Red Bull management clearly stated that no ‘team orders’ were issued to Lawson, confirming the New Zealand rookie held his position on merit. In the latter stages of the race, Tsunoda, on fresher neutral tires, launched an attack on Lawson but ultimately fell short by 0.6 seconds. VCARB (Visa Cash App RB) Team Principal Alan Permane confirmed to DAZN that the team did not issue any order for Lawson to yield: “We certainly didn’t ask him to move over. Lawson did a brilliant job. He withstood the pressure from a faster car and defended his position by ‘elbowing out’.” Tsunoda admitted that, considering Red Bull’s position in the constructors’ and drivers’ championship fights, he chose to avoid taking excessive risks: “Especially with McLaren behind, I had several opportunities to try an overtake on the inside, but the risk was too high – we could have been passed by both McLarens, or even lost positions together.” Lawson, driving an F1 car on the Baku street circuit for the first time, revealed after the race that he wasn’t paying attention to the standings throughout: “I didn’t even know where I was until I crossed the finish line. But seeing so many cars behind me, I naturally knew I had to fight desperately to hold the position.”