Red Bull’s decision to put Lawson in VCARB cannot really be described as a demotion, argues Helmut Marko.
The 81-year-old believes the difference between Red Bull and VCARB isn’t big enough to be described as a major step down.
Because of this, Marko argues that Lawson is in a good position to rediscover his form.
Red Bull waste no time in assessing young talent
Virtually every team in F1 now has a driver academy, with the likes of Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman joining the grid via these structures.
Teams see the value in making early investments towards a young driver’s career – which can pay off in the long-term.
Mercedes, for example, secured the talents of both their drivers whilst they were in junior categories.
Not only does this help assemble the ideal driver line-up, but academies are also a cheaper option than signing a star driver from a rival.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari deal, for example, came at significant expense for Fred Vasseur’s team.
Whilst an outfit with such financial resources won’t mind paying a high fee for a 7-time Champion, promoting junior drivers is always a cheaper option.
More than anyone else in F1, Red Bull have enjoyed a conveyer-belt of young talents climbing through the ranks.
One quirk in the Austrian squad’s structure, however, is that drivers are under immense pressure to prove themselves.
Liam Lawson is the most recent example, meeting almost immediate consequences for failing to perform.
In fairness to Red Bull, few top teams would tolerate one of their driver consistently finishing in P20.
Still, they are often criticised for creating an unsustainable pressure cookers for those in their ranks.
The original call to promote Lawson, for example, was widely described as premature for a driver with such little experience.
Marko: “I wouldn’t say we can currently speak of demotion”
Amidst these criticisms, which were particularly acute in Australia and China, Red Bull stand by their driver approach.
Helmut Marko makes the case that, given the RB21’s current performance, being moved to VCARB is not necessarily a demotion:
“But that doesn’t mean a driver’s career has to be over,” he told Bild.
“Pierre Gasly also had to return from Red Bull to the junior team, and is now a seasoned Formula 1 driver.
“Alex Albon didn’t make it with us either, had to take the detour via DTM, and now driver for Williams.
“Especially since, I wouldn’t say we can currently speak of a demotion.
“The difference between Racing Bulls and Red Bull isn’t that great.”
Inevitably, Lawson’s perspective on losing his Red Bull seat was far different to the one Helmut Marko is presenting.
Aside from Red Bull still being the faster team, VCARB have increased their corporation with Milton Keynes over the last two years.
This means the Faenza squad’s destiny, more so than previous years, is dependent on Red Bull improving.
It must also be said that, at least relative to the first two rounds, VCARB have been less competitive in the midfield.
Assuming Red Bull’s updates are effective, they should also establish a slightly more predictable platform with the RB21.
Then again, Lawson’s struggles were so severe that – excluding a massive change in fortunes – there is no certainty he would have been in a position to capitalise.
For the time being, the Kiwi’s focus must be establishing himself as VCARB’s reference.
This will be no easy task against the highly impressive Isack Hadjar.
READ MORE: Tsunoda “much closer” to Verstappen than Lawson – Marko
Main photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
