In a shocking twist, Red Bull has replaced Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season. The change will take effect at the next Japanese Grand Prix, which will mark Tsunoda’s highly anticipated debut for Red Bull on home turf at Suzuka.
A Brief Promotion for Liam Lawson
Liam Lawson’s time as Max Verstappen’s teammate has turned out to be a short one. Even though he was preferred to Tsunoda for the Red Bull drive, the 23-year-old has failed to find his groove with the RB21. His results in the first two rounds have been poor: three back-to-back Q1 knockouts and no points on the board. Red Bull, with its brutal driver choices, has decided to demote Lawson back to Racing Bulls, the junior team of the squad. This will level the pressure currently on him.
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Tsunoda Gets His Big Break
Having been on Red Bull’s junior team since 2021, Tsunoda has been fighting for a promotion to the senior team for a long time. Though he was left out in favour of Lawson initially, the Japanese driver is now in one of the most desired seats in the world of motorsport. His first outing in a Red Bull car at his home circuit of Suzuka is an added attraction for Japanese fans.
But there will be high expectations. Red Bull’s second driver has always been a difficult nut to crack. Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have not been able to keep up with Verstappen’s pace. Tsunoda won’t get much time to settle in, as people are expecting him to deliver from day one.
What Went Wrong for Lawson?
Lawson’s swift demotion indicates Red Bull’s high-pressure environment. Although he performed well in his earlier appearances with Racing Bulls, he was unable to gain traction in the senior team. His poor performances in qualifying, taking a rear-grid finish in China and Australia, were warning signs early on. There are reports indicating that he has been emotionally exhausted by the task.
Looking Ahead
As Tsunoda takes over at Red Bull, Lawson’s future hangs in the balance. A return to Racing Bulls might help him regain confidence. All eyes are now on Tsunoda—can he justify the seat, or is history set to repeat itself?
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