Is Vettel the Only One Who Can Turn the Tide at Red Bull Racing?

The second seat at Red Bull has hindered many careers over the past few years. Liam Lawson was dismissed by the Austrian team after just two races at the start of the 2025 season, and he was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda. While Red Bull's management appeared convinced that the Japanese driver would handle the job, it has turned out to be harder than expected.

Like many of his predecessors, Tsunoda has so far failed to make his mark alongside Verstappen. "Yuki isn't showing his full potential," Doornbos said in Ziggo Sport's Race Café. "His management - Honda - has announced: 'We will not support you next year, so you have to earn your seat. Finishing P17 in practice doesn't help, of course.'"

Asked if the Japanese could still make it work at Red Bull, Doornbos said: "I'm afraid not. Tomorrow [Saturday] he'll be out in Q1, you can write that down already."

Promoting Isack Hadjar to Red Bull now is not an option, according to the Rotterdam native. We've seen in the past that Marko can be very tough in such situations, and is not shy of making controversial decisions. "It would be good if Sebastian Vettel joins the team," Doornbos acknowledged. "That was also the news this week, that Vettel might take over Marko's position - as an advisor."

"He could relate a bit younger to the psychology of a driver - of: 'No, you shouldn't do that, it would burn him out, that's a waste.'" He added that it's important to handle Hadjar in the right way. "With Isack Hadjar, they really have a supertalent for the future in hand. Vettel won't be coming back as a driver, but could serve as a team manager."