Sainz, Hamilton, and Antonelli Unfazed by Red Bull’s Tough Stance

Sainz and Hamilton are unfazed by Red Bull’s swift driver changes, while Antonelli highlights the harsh reality of F1 pressure for rookies.

Carlos Sainz has expressed that he wasn’t surprised by the news of Liam Lawson leaving Red Bull Racing after just two races.

Sainz Reflects on Red Bull’s Harsh Driver Policy

The former Red Bull junior team member said the decision to drop Lawson so quickly is typical of how the team’s driver development program is managed.

“I don’t think this is anything new. It’s just Red Bull, the way things are handled and how they operate,” Sainz commented. “We’ve seen this over the past ten years in Formula 1. Since I’ve been in F1, it’s always been the same. One day you have an opportunity, and the next day, if you don’t meet the exact expectations, you’re either promoted or demoted.”

Sainz spent almost three seasons in a secondary Red Bull team before moving on. While Max Verstappen, his first F1 teammate, was promoted to Red Bull after just two seasons, the team never gave Sainz the same chance, even when the opportunity arose to replace the struggling Sergio Perez last year.

However, Sainz was cautious when asked if Red Bull was lacking competent teammates for Verstappen, given their refusal to give him a chance.

“People often say that being alongside Max in a car he knows so well is the toughest job in F1,” Sainz reflected. “If that’s what people think, then I guess it’s a good thing for me. But at the same time, I don’t really care, because I’m exactly where I want to be now, in a good position for my future, and I’m excited to see where we go from here.”

Lewis Hamilton was also asked about Red Bull’s decision-making.

“I’m not surprised by their approach. I don’t really have an opinion on it,” Hamilton said. “Yuki and Liam are both great drivers, and we have a lot of great talent here, especially among the younger drivers. There’s a lot of pressure on the new guys. It’s impossible to fully master a car that’s not easy to drive, so giving someone just two races to figure it out is pretty tough.”

Oscar Piastri added, “Two races is really not enough time to understand things.”

“I raced against Liam a lot in the junior categories, and those two races didn’t represent what he’s truly capable of. From my side, I feel pressure to perform, but that comes from within. I was lucky to perform well in the second weekend, and the first wasn’t bad either, so that gives me a lot of confidence. Sometimes, you just need one good session to get your confidence back.”

Antonelli: F1 Pressure is Unavoidable

Kimi Antonelli, a young driver with Mercedes F1, acknowledged the pressure that comes with being in a top team, especially as a rookie.

“Of course, as a newcomer, you feel a lot of pressure. And in a top team, we know what’s expected. Personally, I’m lucky because I’m surrounded by great people and a strong team that supports me fully. So I don’t feel too much of that pressure. It’s more pressure I put on myself because I want to perform well. But of course, F1 can be quite brutal at times.”

“This is Formula 1, so you’re racing at the highest level. And when you race at the highest level, people expect you to perform. Like me and some other drivers, we’re also representing a brand.”

“It’s clear that we have to meet those expectations and perform. It’s not easy, as the level is incredibly high. The pressure can be intense, but you also have to manage it. It’s part of the job. It’s not just about the driving.”

• Discover More>Tsunoda Surprised by Lack of Marko’s Call for Promotion
• Follow us on >FACEBOOK and >TWITTERfor F1 updates

Sainz and Hamilton React to Red Bull’s Quick Decision Sainz and Hamilton React to Red Bull’s Quick Decision