In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Red Bull Racing is set to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix next week. This decision comes after Lawson's disappointing performance in the opening two races of the 2025 season, where he failed to score any points and consistently qualified at the back of the grid.
Red Bull's management, including team principal Christian Horner, convened in Dubai on March 25, 2025, to discuss the team's direction following a lackluster start to the season. Lawson's qualifications of 18th in Australia and 20th in China, paired with a crash in the season opener and another underwhelming finish in the Chinese Grand Prix, have led to widespread disbelief regarding the team's decision to drop him after just two races.
Initially, Lawson was promoted to Red Bull following the team's decision to terminate Sergio Perez's contract, a move made after Perez's struggles in the previous season cost the team dearly in the constructors' championship. Despite having shown promise in junior categories, Lawson's inability to adapt to the RB21 car has raised questions about his future in F1.
Max Verstappen, Lawson's teammate, has reportedly expressed his discontent with the decision. According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Verstappen believes that the issues lie with the car rather than with Lawson's driving ability. He stated, "One can guess what Verstappen himself thinks of the decision of Red Bull's management to victimise Liam Lawson after only two races in favour of Yuki Tsunoda. The Limburger also disagrees with the team management's decision to intervene so soon."
Lawson's stint at Red Bull has been marked by difficulties. He qualified 18th at the Australian Grand Prix and crashed out, while in China, he qualified last for both the sprint and the grand prix, finishing 14th and 12th respectively. His average qualifying deficit to Verstappen has been 0.88 seconds, a gap that has not gone unnoticed by the team.
In contrast, Tsunoda, who is set to step in, has been a part of Red Bull's junior program since 2021 and has more experience under his belt. He was previously overlooked for the seat Lawson took, but his performance in the sister team, Racing Bulls, has now put him back in the spotlight. Tsunoda himself expressed enthusiasm about the potential promotion, stating, "Yeah, why not? Always. In Japan? Yeah, 100%. I mean, the car is faster."
Despite the swift decision to replace Lawson, the rationale behind his initial selection was based on the belief in his potential and mental toughness. Horner had previously praised Lawson's race pace, which was slightly better than Tsunoda's, and believed he could help stabilize the team after Perez's inconsistent performances. However, after just two races, it seems the team has lost faith in Lawson's ability to contribute positively.
Red Bull's strategy has often been characterized by its ruthlessness in handling drivers, especially those in its young driver program. The decision to drop Lawson so quickly has raised eyebrows, with many in the F1 community questioning the management's judgment. Ralf Schumacher, commenting on the situation, remarked, "It's unbelievable [...] unbelievably bad from a management perspective. I don't understand it at all when you destabilise a good team – Racing Bulls – who are finally doing well with both drivers, and you risk burning out Tsunoda."
Lawson, reflecting on his struggles, acknowledged the pressure of performing at such a high level. He stated, "It’s really tough honestly, the window is really small. To drive a Formula 1 car, it takes 100% confidence. The window is so small and I just seem to miss it, need to get a handle of it. It’s just not good enough." His admission highlights the intense scrutiny and pressure that drivers face in the competitive world of F1.
As Red Bull prepares for the Japanese Grand Prix, the team is not only looking to improve its standing in the championship but also hoping to resolve the ongoing issues with the RB21 car. Verstappen has noted that the car is currently the fourth quickest on the grid, trailing behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari. This performance gap has put additional pressure on the team to secure points as the season progresses.
In summary, the decision to swap Lawson for Tsunoda marks a significant shift in Red Bull's approach as they seek to regain their competitive edge in Formula 1. With Lawson returning to Racing Bulls and Tsunoda stepping up to the main team, all eyes will be on the upcoming race in Japan to see if this strategic move pays off.
