In a surprising move, Red Bull Racing has decided to drop Liam Lawson as the teammate of Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen after just two rounds of the 2025 season. On Thursday, the team announced the replacement of Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda, marking a significant shift in strategy for the elite racing team.
Liam Lawson, who was handed the Red Bull seat despite lacking experience in a full F1 season, faced immediate challenges. The New Zealander failed to score any points and crashed out during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. His performance continued to falter as he qualified in last place for both the Chinese Grand Prix and its associated sprint race. This dismal start prompted Red Bull to reconsider their decision.
Yuki Tsunoda, who has been driving for Red Bull’s second team, Racing Bulls, has been elevated to the main team just in time for his home race at the Japanese Grand Prix next week. The transition signifies the team's urgent need for a driver who can deliver results and contribute to the development of their RB21 car.
Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, expressed his concerns regarding Lawson's struggles with the car. “It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the [RB21] at the first two races. As a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch,” Horner stated. He emphasized that this was a purely sporting decision aimed at retaining the world drivers’ championship and reclaiming the world constructors’ title.
This swift decision to replace Lawson starkly contrasts the patience shown with Sergio Perez, who received a two-year contract extension midway through a disappointing 2024 season. After four years with the team, Perez was eventually replaced by Lawson in December, highlighting the cut-throat nature of Formula 1.
Yuki Tsunoda, 24, has been part of Formula 1 since 2021 and achieved his career-best championship position of 12th last year, although he has yet to secure a podium finish. He has faced criticism within the Red Bull organization for his tendency to vocalize frustrations over the radio during races. Tsunoda’s long-term future remains uncertain, particularly due to his personal backing from Honda, which will cease to be Red Bull’s engine supplier after this season.
Laurent Mekies, the team principal of Racing Bulls, expressed pride in Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull, highlighting his sensational progress over the past year. “His progress last year, and more recently from the very start of 2025, has been nothing less than sensational,” Mekies remarked. Tsunoda now becomes Verstappen’s sixth teammate in just ten seasons with Red Bull, showcasing the ongoing evolution of the team.
This midseason driver change is particularly notable as it marks the first time the main Red Bull team has altered its driver lineup since Pierre Gasly was replaced by Alex Albon after 12 races in 2019. Max Verstappen remains the only Red Bull driver to have won a race in nearly two years and has scored all of the team’s points in the four races following Perez’s 10th place finish in Las Vegas last November.
The decision to replace Lawson with Tsunoda reflects Red Bull Racing's commitment to maintaining competitive performance in the highly demanding world of Formula 1, reaffirming their status as a formidable force in the sport.
