Tsunoda replaces Lawson at Red Bull ahead of Japanese GP

Tsunoda replaces Lawson at Red Bull ahead of Japanese GP as Kiwi returns to Racing Bulls

In a dramatic early-season switch, Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson in the senior team from the Japanese Grand Prix onward, just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Credit: motociclismo.pt

Lawson, who earned his promotion to Red Bull after a solid showing in late 2024, has endured a rocky start in 2025, crashing out in Melbourne and finishing 12th in Shanghai after post-race disqualifications. Despite high expectations, the 23-year-old struggled to adapt to the RB21, prompting swift action from Red Bull’s management.

Tsunoda, who debuted with the then-AlphaTauri outfit in 2021, will now partner Max Verstappen starting at his home race in Suzuka. The 24-year-old impressed throughout 2024, contributing 30 of his team’s 46 points, and had previously tested for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi. Though initially overlooked in favour of Lawson, Tsunoda publicly accepted the decision with grace, stating he wasn’t "super angry or disappointed."

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner described the move as a “purely sporting decision,” citing the team’s ambitions to defend the Drivers’ Championship and reclaim the Constructors’ title. He emphasised Tsunoda’s experience as crucial to developing the RB21, while reaffirming the team’s commitment to Lawson's long-term growth.

Credit: Planetf1.com

Lawson will now return to the rebranded Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, reuniting with familiar engineers and joining rookie Isack Hadjar – mirroring past mid-season demotions of drivers like Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly. While his Red Bull opportunity may have been brief, the team insists that Lawson remains part of its long-term vision.