Ex-F1 driver asserts Red Bull needs ‘psychologically strong’ teammate for Max Verstappen
The mental toll of driving alongside Max Verstappen has led Luciano Burti to recommend Red Bull to hire a psychologically strong driver.
Follow Us
Max Verstappen, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko (via BILD)
Red Bull are the reigning champions and had the best car on paper for quite some time. Despite this, they sit third in the standings, the blame has often been put on Sergio Perez‘s inability to perform at a similar level to Max Verstappen. Witnessing another teammate of Verstappen facing the same challenges, ex-F1 driver Luciano Burti claimed that the Austrian giant needs a psychologically strong teammate to partner the Dutchman at Red Bull.
With Max Verstappen scoring a massive 393 points, he is the driver’s championship leader and is on the verge of winning his fourth driver’s title. On the other hand, Sergio Perez has scored 151 points with the same machinery and stands ninth in the standings. Witnessing this major slump, the Mexican driver has been called out as not worthy of the Red Bull seat, which has often taken a toll on him.
Subsequently, observing the ongoing driver saga at Red Bull, Luciano Burti suggested Horner & Co. to look for a psychologically strong driver like Liam Lawson.
I think Red Bull needs to think more about the psychological side – who is a strong guy in the head to be next to Max in that team? It’s not just about speed. It’s mainly about confidence and a cool head to deal with the pressure. Lawson seems to be one of those guys, he seems to be very open for the fight, and he doesn’t seem to care too much, at least, that’s what he shows off.
Luciano Burti said on the F1 Nation podcast
Moreover, this could be the reason behind the Red Bull hierarchy not considering Yuki Tsunoda a viable option for the senior team. The Japanese driver has often been glanced over by the senior figures in Milton Keynes, which is exaggerated by Lawson’s candidature being taken seriously by the team.
F1 experts are bewildered by Red Bull’s decision to stay away from Carlos Sainz
On the other hand, Carlos Sainz was waiting for Red Bull to hire him for the 2025 season for quite some time. He is a multiple-race winner and was a free agent after Ferrari ended its ties with him. However, at last, the Spaniard signed with backmarker Williams for 2025 and beyond, who experts reckoned could have solved the Austrian giant’s existing problems easily.
Subsequently, the consensus among the 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill and other former F1 drivers was that Sainz would have been the ideal driver for Red Bull.
But I do agree with Damon, and I don’t know why Red Bull didn’t want to give Sainz a chance. I think he would be the guy to be there.
Luciano Burti said on the F1 Nation podcast
However, the possibility of the 30-year-old possibly ending up at Red Bull is now close to impossible. Thus, the Milton Keynes-based squad could be traversing through the driver struggles throughout the upcoming winter break.
Stay Updated!
Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)