Red Bull has confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson in their Formula 1 lineup, with the Japanese driver stepping up from Red Bull’s sister team, RB. The decision comes after Lawson completed just two races for the team and failed to deliver the expected results.
The move, which takes effect ahead of next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, signals Red Bull’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Lawson, 23, will now return to race for RB for the remainder of the season.
A Ruthless Red Bull Decision
Red Bull’s swift decision to drop Lawson is in line with their history of quickly reshuffling drivers when performance expectations are not met. Lawson was promoted to replace Sergio Pérez at the end of 2024, following Pérez’s struggles and Red Bull’s third-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship behind McLaren and Ferrari.
However, Lawson’s start to the 2025 season was far from ideal. He failed to score points in the opening two races in Australia and China, leading to speculation about his future. Red Bull wasted no time in making the change, officially announcing Tsunoda’s promotion on Thursday morning.
Horner: “A Purely Sporting Decision”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the difficulties Lawson faced but emphasized that the decision was made purely for competitive reasons.
“It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races, and as a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch,” Horner said.
“We entered the 2025 season with two ambitions: to retain the Drivers’ Championship and reclaim the Constructors’ title. This is a purely sporting decision. We recognize there is still work to be done on the RB21, and Yuki’s experience will be crucial in helping develop the car.”
Tsunoda’s Long-Awaited Opportunity
Tsunoda, 24, has raced for RB (formerly AlphaTauri) since 2021 and was overlooked for a Red Bull promotion at the end of last season in favor of Lawson. His frustration was evident, as he had far more experience than Lawson, with 89 race starts under his belt.
Now, Red Bull has turned to Tsunoda’s expertise to help improve the RB21, as the team struggles to match McLaren, who currently lead the championship. His debut for Red Bull will come on home soil at Suzuka, adding extra significance to his first outing in the senior team.
Verstappen’s Sixth Teammate in 10 Seasons
Tsunoda will become Max Verstappen’s sixth teammate in 10 seasons, further reinforcing Red Bull’s ongoing struggle to find a stable partner for their dominant four-time world champion. The team’s car has often been optimized for Verstappen’s driving style, making it a challenge for other drivers to adapt.
With Red Bull’s title ambitions at stake, the pressure will now be on Tsunoda to deliver results immediately as he steps into one of the most coveted – and scrutinized – seats in Formula 1.
