“I think I can probably win the constructors’ championship on my own right now”, Max Verstappen smiled during a Dutch media session ahead of the 2023 British Grand Prix. He said it jokingly, but there was truth in his comments on two fronts. At the time, Red Bull’s dominance was such that Verstappen individually scored more points (575) than the second team in the constructors’ championship altogether (Mercedes, 409). But it also spoke volumes about the struggles Red Bull faced with its second seat.
Nearly two years later, the competitive landscape in Formula 1 has shifted. Yet one constant remains: the second Red Bull seat continues to be a headache. Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure, no replacement has been able to match Verstappen. Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson have all faltered in the second seat, opening the door for Yuki Tsunoda to become Verstappen’s fifth team-mate in Red Bull colours.
