By rikififi90 
The 2025 Formula 1 season has already delivered its first major shake-up. After just two races, Red Bull has terminated the stint of New Zealand driver Liam Lawson as a full-time racer, elevating Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda to join Max Verstappen in the cockpit. The decision, finalized during a high-stakes meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is set to be officially announced before the Japanese Grand Prix on April 4. This abrupt switch underscores Red Bull’s relentless pursuit of instant results, unwilling to tolerate Lawson’s underwhelming performances in the season’s opening rounds.
Liam Lawson, aged 23, stepped into Sergio Pérez’s shoes at the end of 2024, carrying the weight of expectations as the potential fix for Red Bull’s notoriously tricky second seat alongside Verstappen. His debut, however, fell flat. At the Australian Grand Prix, Lawson crashed out, ending his race prematurely, while in China, he crossed the line in a distant 16th place, far from the points. The lack of competitiveness in a car built to dominate raised immediate questions about his readiness for the pressure cooker of Red Bull’s main team.
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, 24, steps into the spotlight at a career high. With five seasons under his belt at Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s junior outfit, the Japanese driver has shown marked improvement in 2025, including a sixth-place finish in the China sprint and a strong fifth on the Australian grid. His promotion fulfills a long-held ambition and doubles as a nod to Honda, Red Bull’s engine supplier and Tsunoda’s backer, which played a key role in the switch.
- Honda influenced the Lawson-Tsunoda swap.
- Dubai meeting sealed Red Bull’s driver lineup fate.
- Tsunoda debuts for the main team at Japan’s Suzuka circuit.
The move to replace Lawson with Tsunoda wasn’t a snap judgment. On Tuesday, key Red Bull figures, including majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, gathered in Dubai to assess the team’s early 2025 performance. Lawson’s lackluster start, combined with the urgency to rack up constructors’ championship points, tipped the scales. After losing the title to McLaren in 2024, Red Bull is determined to avoid another season of inconsistency from its second driver.
Insiders suggest Honda wielded considerable sway in the decision. With its engine partnership with Red Bull set to end in 2025 before shifting to Aston Martin, the Japanese manufacturer saw Tsunoda’s promotion as a chance to spotlight a driver from its development program in a top-tier team. Tsunoda, who debuted in F1 with AlphaTauri in 2021, embodies Honda’s investment in the sport, and his rise could serve as a fitting farewell gesture.
Lawson’s exit after just two races mirrors Red Bull’s cutthroat history with its drivers. The team has a track record of swift changes when results falter, as seen with Daniil Kvyat’s 2016 demotion and Pierre Gasly’s 2019 replacement. Lawson struggled to adapt to the RB21, a car tailored to Verstappen’s driving style, exposing the steep learning curve for newcomers in the squad.
Liam Lawson’s time at Red Bull was short and rocky. Tapped to replace Pérez after the Mexican’s rollercoaster 2024 season, the New Zealander arrived with promise, bolstered by 11 prior races with Racing Bulls between 2023 and 2024. His performances had caught the eye of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, but the leap to the main team proved too daunting. Running alongside Verstappen, a four-time champion, Lawson couldn’t find his footing.
In Australia, Lawson’s weekend unraveled early. A turbo failure in final practice left him short on track time, and unfamiliarity with Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit saw him knocked out in Q1. During the race, a crash while battling slick tires in wet conditions forced his retirement. China offered no reprieve: Lawson started at the back for both the sprint and main race, limping to 12th after others were disqualified.
Tsunoda, by contrast, shone at Racing Bulls. He reached Q3 in both events and delivered points, outpacing Lawson’s zero-score tally. Verstappen himself noted the disparity, suggesting the Racing Bulls car is more forgiving than the precision-demanding RB21, a hurdle Lawson couldn’t overcome in his brief tenure.
Yuki Tsunoda’s arrival at Red Bull marks a turning point. Overlooked in favor of Gasly, Albon, and now Lawson in past years, the Japanese driver finally gets his shot with the big team. Since his 2021 debut, Tsunoda has matured, a transformation praised by Marko after the China race. His focus and consistency have earned him this long-awaited opportunity.
In 2025, Tsunoda has already impressed. He started fifth in Melbourne, poised for a top-six finish until rain disrupted Racing Bulls’ strategy, and grabbed sixth in the China sprint, outrunning Ferrari and Mercedes drivers. Red Bull hopes his experience will translate into points to bolster their constructors’ fight against McLaren and Ferrari.
His debut in the RB21 comes at Suzuka, a homecoming for the Japanese star. The Honda-owned track hosts the April 4 Grand Prix, and Tsunoda’s presence could reignite local fan fervor, absent a Japanese podium since 2012.
- Tsunoda is Red Bull’s first Japanese driver since the Honda deal began.
- He’s scored 3 points in 2025, while Lawson has none.
- Suzuka marks his main-team debut on home soil.
With his Red Bull exit confirmed, Liam Lawson’s F1 future hangs in the balance. One option is a return to Racing Bulls, where Tsunoda’s departure opens a seat. This path echoes the journeys of Kvyat and Gasly, who were sent back to the junior team after failing to deliver. Lawson could pair with rookie Isack Hadjar, offering a chance to rebuild, though Red Bull has yet to finalize its plans.
Alternatively, Lawson might find himself sidelined in 2025. With only 11 races of experience before his promotion, his disastrous Red Bull spell could deter other teams. Alpine dismissed speculation of Lawson replacing Franco Colapinto, sticking with the Argentine. Without a clear grid spot, Lawson may revert to a reserve role or explore options beyond Red Bull’s ecosystem.
His departure fuels debate over Red Bull’s reliance on untested talent. From Pérez to Gasly, Albon, and now Lawson, the second seat beside Verstappen remains a revolving door, with few matching the Dutchman’s pace and precision.
Red Bull’s driver swaps are nothing new. Since Verstappen’s 2016 arrival, the team has cycled through multiple second drivers, prioritizing performance over patience. Kvyat was dropped after four races in 2016, paving the way for Verstappen. Gasly lasted 12 races in 2019 before Albon took over, only to be axed after 18 months.
Lawson now holds the dubious record of fewest races as a Red Bull full-timer, with just two starts. He edges out Robert Doornbos, who ran three races in 2006, and Vitantonio Liuzzi, with four in 2005. His fleeting tenure highlights the immense challenge of partnering Verstappen, whose dominance shapes the team’s car and expectations.
Tsunoda becomes Verstappen’s sixth teammate in nine years at Red Bull. From Daniel Ricciardo’s 2018 exit to Lawson’s brief run, the Dutchman’s consistency has outlasted a parade of counterparts.
The Red Bull shake-up arrives at a pivotal moment in 2025. Trailing McLaren by 42 points in the constructors’ standings after two races, the team needs a boost. Here’s the calendar for the next rounds:
- April 4-6: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka.
- April 18-20: Miami Grand Prix, United States.
- May 2-4: Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Imola.
Tsunoda’s Suzuka debut will test his ability to adapt to the RB21 and deliver under pressure in a critical phase of the season.
The Lawson-Tsunoda swap could shift the 2025 title race. Verstappen sits second in the drivers’ standings with 36 points, eight behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. Lawson’s failure to score has left Red Bull with just 36 constructors’ points, all from Verstappen, against McLaren’s 78.
Tsunoda’s three points from Racing Bulls in 2025 signal potential for steadier contributions. His five-year F1 tenure and early-season form suggest he could close the gap to rivals. Still, mastering the RB21, built for Verstappen’s style, poses an immediate hurdle.
The move also boosts Honda in its final Red Bull year. Tsunoda’s promotion amplifies the manufacturer’s profile ahead of its 2026 Aston Martin switch, possibly securing his long-term prospects.
The 2025 Formula 1 season has already delivered its first major shake-up. After just two races, Red Bull has terminated the stint of New Zealand driver Liam Lawson as a full-time racer, elevating Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda to join Max Verstappen in the cockpit. The decision, finalized during a high-stakes meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is set to be officially announced before the Japanese Grand Prix on April 4. This abrupt switch underscores Red Bull’s relentless pursuit of instant results, unwilling to tolerate Lawson’s underwhelming performances in the season’s opening rounds.
Liam Lawson, aged 23, stepped into Sergio Pérez’s shoes at the end of 2024, carrying the weight of expectations as the potential fix for Red Bull’s notoriously tricky second seat alongside Verstappen. His debut, however, fell flat. At the Australian Grand Prix, Lawson crashed out, ending his race prematurely, while in China, he crossed the line in a distant 16th place, far from the points. The lack of competitiveness in a car built to dominate raised immediate questions about his readiness for the pressure cooker of Red Bull’s main team.
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, 24, steps into the spotlight at a career high. With five seasons under his belt at Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s junior outfit, the Japanese driver has shown marked improvement in 2025, including a sixth-place finish in the China sprint and a strong fifth on the Australian grid. His promotion fulfills a long-held ambition and doubles as a nod to Honda, Red Bull’s engine supplier and Tsunoda’s backer, which played a key role in the switch.
- Honda influenced the Lawson-Tsunoda swap.
- Dubai meeting sealed Red Bull’s driver lineup fate.
- Tsunoda debuts for the main team at Japan’s Suzuka circuit.
The move to replace Lawson with Tsunoda wasn’t a snap judgment. On Tuesday, key Red Bull figures, including majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, gathered in Dubai to assess the team’s early 2025 performance. Lawson’s lackluster start, combined with the urgency to rack up constructors’ championship points, tipped the scales. After losing the title to McLaren in 2024, Red Bull is determined to avoid another season of inconsistency from its second driver.
Insiders suggest Honda wielded considerable sway in the decision. With its engine partnership with Red Bull set to end in 2025 before shifting to Aston Martin, the Japanese manufacturer saw Tsunoda’s promotion as a chance to spotlight a driver from its development program in a top-tier team. Tsunoda, who debuted in F1 with AlphaTauri in 2021, embodies Honda’s investment in the sport, and his rise could serve as a fitting farewell gesture.
Lawson’s exit after just two races mirrors Red Bull’s cutthroat history with its drivers. The team has a track record of swift changes when results falter, as seen with Daniil Kvyat’s 2016 demotion and Pierre Gasly’s 2019 replacement. Lawson struggled to adapt to the RB21, a car tailored to Verstappen’s driving style, exposing the steep learning curve for newcomers in the squad.
Liam Lawson’s time at Red Bull was short and rocky. Tapped to replace Pérez after the Mexican’s rollercoaster 2024 season, the New Zealander arrived with promise, bolstered by 11 prior races with Racing Bulls between 2023 and 2024. His performances had caught the eye of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, but the leap to the main team proved too daunting. Running alongside Verstappen, a four-time champion, Lawson couldn’t find his footing.
In Australia, Lawson’s weekend unraveled early. A turbo failure in final practice left him short on track time, and unfamiliarity with Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit saw him knocked out in Q1. During the race, a crash while battling slick tires in wet conditions forced his retirement. China offered no reprieve: Lawson started at the back for both the sprint and main race, limping to 12th after others were disqualified.
Tsunoda, by contrast, shone at Racing Bulls. He reached Q3 in both events and delivered points, outpacing Lawson’s zero-score tally. Verstappen himself noted the disparity, suggesting the Racing Bulls car is more forgiving than the precision-demanding RB21, a hurdle Lawson couldn’t overcome in his brief tenure.
Yuki Tsunoda’s arrival at Red Bull marks a turning point. Overlooked in favor of Gasly, Albon, and now Lawson in past years, the Japanese driver finally gets his shot with the big team. Since his 2021 debut, Tsunoda has matured, a transformation praised by Marko after the China race. His focus and consistency have earned him this long-awaited opportunity.
In 2025, Tsunoda has already impressed. He started fifth in Melbourne, poised for a top-six finish until rain disrupted Racing Bulls’ strategy, and grabbed sixth in the China sprint, outrunning Ferrari and Mercedes drivers. Red Bull hopes his experience will translate into points to bolster their constructors’ fight against McLaren and Ferrari.
His debut in the RB21 comes at Suzuka, a homecoming for the Japanese star. The Honda-owned track hosts the April 4 Grand Prix, and Tsunoda’s presence could reignite local fan fervor, absent a Japanese podium since 2012.
- Tsunoda is Red Bull’s first Japanese driver since the Honda deal began.
- He’s scored 3 points in 2025, while Lawson has none.
- Suzuka marks his main-team debut on home soil.
With his Red Bull exit confirmed, Liam Lawson’s F1 future hangs in the balance. One option is a return to Racing Bulls, where Tsunoda’s departure opens a seat. This path echoes the journeys of Kvyat and Gasly, who were sent back to the junior team after failing to deliver. Lawson could pair with rookie Isack Hadjar, offering a chance to rebuild, though Red Bull has yet to finalize its plans.
Alternatively, Lawson might find himself sidelined in 2025. With only 11 races of experience before his promotion, his disastrous Red Bull spell could deter other teams. Alpine dismissed speculation of Lawson replacing Franco Colapinto, sticking with the Argentine. Without a clear grid spot, Lawson may revert to a reserve role or explore options beyond Red Bull’s ecosystem.
His departure fuels debate over Red Bull’s reliance on untested talent. From Pérez to Gasly, Albon, and now Lawson, the second seat beside Verstappen remains a revolving door, with few matching the Dutchman’s pace and precision.
Red Bull’s driver swaps are nothing new. Since Verstappen’s 2016 arrival, the team has cycled through multiple second drivers, prioritizing performance over patience. Kvyat was dropped after four races in 2016, paving the way for Verstappen. Gasly lasted 12 races in 2019 before Albon took over, only to be axed after 18 months.
Lawson now holds the dubious record of fewest races as a Red Bull full-timer, with just two starts. He edges out Robert Doornbos, who ran three races in 2006, and Vitantonio Liuzzi, with four in 2005. His fleeting tenure highlights the immense challenge of partnering Verstappen, whose dominance shapes the team’s car and expectations.
Tsunoda becomes Verstappen’s sixth teammate in nine years at Red Bull. From Daniel Ricciardo’s 2018 exit to Lawson’s brief run, the Dutchman’s consistency has outlasted a parade of counterparts.
The Red Bull shake-up arrives at a pivotal moment in 2025. Trailing McLaren by 42 points in the constructors’ standings after two races, the team needs a boost. Here’s the calendar for the next rounds:
- April 4-6: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka.
- April 18-20: Miami Grand Prix, United States.
- May 2-4: Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Imola.
Tsunoda’s Suzuka debut will test his ability to adapt to the RB21 and deliver under pressure in a critical phase of the season.
The Lawson-Tsunoda swap could shift the 2025 title race. Verstappen sits second in the drivers’ standings with 36 points, eight behind McLaren’s Lando Norris. Lawson’s failure to score has left Red Bull with just 36 constructors’ points, all from Verstappen, against McLaren’s 78.
Tsunoda’s three points from Racing Bulls in 2025 signal potential for steadier contributions. His five-year F1 tenure and early-season form suggest he could close the gap to rivals. Still, mastering the RB21, built for Verstappen’s style, poses an immediate hurdle.
The move also boosts Honda in its final Red Bull year. Tsunoda’s promotion amplifies the manufacturer’s profile ahead of its 2026 Aston Martin switch, possibly securing his long-term prospects.
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