Yuki Tsunoda to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull from Japanese GP
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RB's Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda (right) takes selfies with fans as he arrives at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne on March 15.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Yuki Tsunoda will race for Red Bull from his home Japanese Grand Prix next week with struggling New Zealander Liam Lawson demoted to sister Formula One team Racing Bulls in a straight swop.
Lawson, preferred to the more experienced Tsunoda when former champions Red Bull dropped Mexican Sergio Perez at the end of 2024, has yet to score as teammate of four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Tsunoda has started the season strongly, bagging three points after shrugging off an early career reputation for being excitable and erratic.
The 24-year-old has been itching for the chance to show what he can do at a top team.
“It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and, as a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said on March 27.
“We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions; to retain the world drivers’ championship and to reclaim the world constructors’ title, and this is a purely sporting decision. We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21, and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car.”
Tsunoda has been backed through his career by Honda, Red Bull’s engine partner until the end of this season and also owners of the Suzuka circuit that hosts the Japanese GP on April 6.
Honda are switching to Aston Martin in 2026, however, and Tsunoda’s future beyond this year has looked uncertain with last year’s teammate Lawson promoted over him.
The Japanese will be a relieved man after the latest decision, which will be seen as brutal after just two races, and added Lawson to a list of young drivers who have been found wanting and shipped out after going up alongside Verstappen.
Thailand’s Alexander Albon, now at Williams, and Frenchman Pierre Gasly, racing for Alpine, are two such drivers who have rebuilt their reputations after leaving Red Bull.
Horner said after last weekend's Chinese GP that Red Bull would support Lawson as best they could, and he reiterated that sentiment.
“We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam,” he said.
“And together we see that, after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience as he continues his F1 career with... Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well.”
Lawson will join French rookie Isack Hadjar, who is also yet to score a point, at the Italy-based team. REUTERS
