Key among them is the potential exit of Max Verstappen<\/a> who, despite a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028, could seek a switch elsewhere, including Mercedes, for next season.<\/p>\n But the constant underperformance of Verstappen\u2019s teammates is a never-ending issue too.<\/p>\n Sergio Perez was axed last year after an inability to score enough points to keep the constructors\u2019 championship away from McLaren. But his replacement Liam Lawson lasted just two races. Yuki Tsunoda<\/a> came in but has also struggled badly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s one thing that Laurent, with the hierarchy, need to knuckle down,\u201d Jolyon Palmer told the F1 Nation podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cCan they keep their star driver?<\/p>\n \u201cMax is the glue keeping the whole team together. They\u2019ve lost all of their old management. Helmut Marko is still there in an advisory capacity but a lot of the race team have gone.<\/p>\n \u201cYet Max is still able to deliver a pole position at Silverstone.<\/p>\n \u201cThe other driver is a big question. Laurent has great experience of working with Tsunoda.<\/p>\n \u201cThat whole dynamic of the drivers is his first thing to get on top of.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘Two-car’ team wish for Red Bull Yuki Tsunoda<\/p>\n Tom Clarkson added: \u201cIt\u2019s more than just getting the best out of Yuki.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have seen over seven years, since Daniel Ricciardo left the team, that the second car hasn\u2019t performed as effectively.<\/p>\n \u201cThat has to be Mekies, if not Job No1, then very near the top of the list.<\/p>\n \u201cGet it operating as a two-car team and properly challenging for the constructors\u2019 championship.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at the effectiveness of McLaren, you can\u2019t compete with them if you\u2019ve only got one car.\u201d<\/p>\n Lawrence Barretto said: \u201cThere was chatter over the course of the British Grand Prix weekend of the necessity to do that internally. To not have a car that is designed so heavily towards Max.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Yuki](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/xpb_1359578_hires.jpg\")
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