Red Bull has boldly demoted Liam Lawson and replaced him with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
The decision, effective immediately, comes after just two races with Lawson in the senior team. Team principal Christian Horner pointed to Lawson’s difficulties with the RB21 car as the driving force behind the switch.
Tsunoda, 24, now races alongside Max Verstappen, while Lawson heads back to Racing Bulls to partner rookie Isack Hadjar. “Liam struggled with the RB21 in the opening races, so we’ve opted for an early change,” Horner explained. Red Bull, currently third in the constructors’ standings behind McLaren and Mercedes, hopes Tsunoda’s experience can turn things around.
Lawson’s Brief and Bumpy Stint
Lawson’s time with Red Bull’s top team was short-lived and underwhelming. The New Zealander crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix after a dismal 18th-place qualifying. In China, he finished 12th, up from 15th after disqualifications, but failed to impress. His lacklustre results sealed his fate after only two outings.
Yuki Tsunoda will swap seats with Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen's teammate for next week's Japanese Grand Prix after a Red Bull meeting in Dubai, according to multiple reports.
They said an official announcement was expected later in the week. pic.twitter.com/reboclA7zy
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 25, 2025Meanwhile, Verstappen has also voiced concerns about the RB21’s performance despite earning second in Australia and fourth in China. With Red Bull’s competitiveness waning, Verstappen won just twice in the last 14 races of 2024, and the pressure is on to refine the car.
Red Bull is known for its decisive driver changes, but Lawson’s exit after two races set a new benchmark. The call came during a meeting in Dubai with team bosses, including chief shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, as they evaluated the squad’s shaky 2025 start. Last year, Lawson edged out Tsunoda to replace Sergio Perez, whose contract still had two years left. At the time, Red Bull questioned Tsunoda’s readiness to race alongside Verstappen. Now, the team is banking on the Japanese driver’s maturity.
“Yuki’s experience will be crucial for RB21 development,” Horner said. “There’s work ahead, and he can help us get there.”
Red Bull announce that Yuki Tsunoda will take Liam Lawson's seat at Red Bull and Lawson will race for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls from the Japanese Grand Prix. pic.twitter.com/l99aSE3dao
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 27, 2025Tsunoda’s Golden Moment at Suzuka
Tsunoda’s promotion couldn’t be better timed. He’ll debut with Red Bull’s senior team at the Japanese Grand Prix, held at Honda-owned Suzuka. Honda, Red Bull’s engine partner until 2026, has long backed Tsunoda’s career. His 2025 form—fifth in Australia’s qualifying and sixth in China’s sprint—shows promise. A strong showing could secure his future, especially with Honda’s looming switch to Aston Martin.
What Lies Ahead for Lawson?
Lawson’s demotion isn’t the end of the road. Returning to Racing Bulls, he’ll race alongside Hadjar and aim to rebound. Drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon thrived after similar Red Bull setbacks, landing at Alpine and Williams. “We’re committed to Liam’s growth,” Horner noted. “This move protects his development after a tough start.”
Read: Lando Norris Wins Rain-Hit Australian Grand Prix Over Verstappen
With Perez gone from F1 and Red Bull’s lineup ever-shifting, Lawson could still reclaim a senior seat if he shines in his second Racing Bulls stint. For now, all eyes turn to Tsunoda at Suzuka.
