In a shocking turn of events, Red Bull Racing has decided to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, following a tumultuous start to the 2025 Formula 1 season for the New Zealander. This decision marks a significant shift for the team after just two races, reflecting the high stakes and intense pressure within the world of Formula 1.
According to reports from multiple sources, including French broadcaster Canal Plus and Dutch newspaper De Limburger, the decision came after a crucial meeting held by Red Bull's senior management, which included team principal Christian Horner and senior advisor Helmut Marko, in Dubai. The shifting personnel comes as Lawson struggled in his initial performances after being promoted to the main Red Bull team, following Sergio Perez’s departure.
Lawson's performances in the first two races were less than stellar. In the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix, he crashed out and finished with a disappointing result. Subsequently, the Chinese Grand Prix saw him qualify last for both the sprint and main races, leading to yet another scoreless weekend. After these results, it was clear that Red Bull was losing patience with the 23-year-old.
Despite being favored initially due to promising data from previous seasons, Red Bull’s confidence in Lawson has dwindled. Sources indicate that Horner and Marko had high hopes for Lawson based on his performances in the last six races of the previous season when he was a teammate with Tsunoda at Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls. However, Lawson’s inability to perform at the required level has prompted a reconsideration of Red Bull’s lineup.
Honda, a critical partner in the Red Bull operation, is reportedly prepared to provide financial incentives to facilitate Tsunoda's promotion. Following the meeting, Red Bull inquired into Honda’s willingness to pay additional amounts to secure Tsunoda’s position alongside reigning champion Max Verstappen. Earlier discussions suggested that Honda would pay around 10 million euros for Tsunoda’s services, which they already compensated Racing Bulls for his seat.
Meanwhile, Tsunoda has expressed his readiness and eagerness to take on the Red Bull challenge. During the Chinese Grand Prix, he stated, “I would jump at the opportunity to drive the Red Bull at Suzuka,” exhibiting enthusiasm for the potential to race at his home Grand Prix.
Following his initial struggles, Lawson acknowledged the difficulties he faced adapting to the Red Bull car, describing it as challenging to handle. In his most recent outing, he attempted to improve his setup significantly before the race but ended up starting from the pit lane as a result, which further compounded his issues on track.
Christian Horner commented on Lawson’s situation, stating, “Formula 1 is a pressure business... He knows that and hopefully, he’ll respond accordingly.” This underlines the competitive environment of Formula 1, where drivers are often under immense pressure to perform consistently.
Despite this setback, it’s not the end of Lawson's career, as he is expected to return to Racing Bulls where he can work on further developing his skills and continuing his trajectory in the sport. Red Bull has previously made similar swaps, such as when Max Verstappen was moved from Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) to the Red Bull team in 2016 in a notable driver exchange.
Speculation surrounding Lawson’s future may have stemmed from the urgency of Red Bull’s need to stay ahead of fierce competitors like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes in the constructor standings. Choosing Tsunoda is seen as a strategic move to bolster their chances in the ongoing season.
The official announcement of the driver switch is expected to arrive later this week, coinciding with anticipation building for the Japanese Grand Prix on April 1st at Suzuka, where Tsunoda will make his much-anticipated debut in a Red Bull car.
The swapping of drivers reflects the tough realities of the sport, where results dictate decisions, often within a brief time frame. As the drama continues to unfold, F1 fans await the next chapter in both Lawson's and Tsunoda’s careers as they navigate the complex and competitive landscape of Formula 1.
With Tsunoda’s experience and a seemingly renewed determination, the upcoming races could shift the dynamics at Red Bull in significant ways. Meanwhile, Lawson will undoubtedly be looking to regroup at Racing Bulls and learn from this high-pressure environment, embodying the resilience required in competitive motorsport.
