Red Bull make Liam Lawson decision with announcement looming
Yuki Tsunoda is expected to be confirmed as Liam Lawson's replacement at Red Bull
Red Bull have decided to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, paddock sources have indicated to PlanetF1.com.
The move is set to result in Lawson rejoining the Racing Bulls junior team after just two races of the F1 2025 season.
Yuki Tsunoda set to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull for Japanese GP
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher
Lawson was signed as Max Verstappen’s new team-mate for F1 2025 after Sergio Perez vacated his Red Bull seat at the end of last year.
The New Zealander’s promotion to the senior team came after just 11 F1 starts for Racing Bulls (previously AlphaTauri) spread across 2023/24.
Lawson has endured a disastrous start to the new season having been eliminated in the first stage of qualifying at the first two rounds in Australia and China.
After crashing out of his Red Bull debut in Melbourne earlier this month, the 23-year-old qualified 20th and last for both the sprint and main race in Shanghai last weekend, finishing a distant 12th.
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As reported by PlanetF1.com, it emerged in the immediate aftermath of the Chinese GP that Red Bull were strongly considering making a change to their driver lineup after just two races of the season.
And multiple reports on Tuesday have indicated that Lawson will be replaced by Tsunoda ahead of next month’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
PlanetF1.com understands from sources close to the situation that the speculation is likely accurate, with negotiations ongoing and a formal decision by Red Bull expected later this week.
It is said that the decision was made in a crunch meeting between senior Red Bull figures in Dubai, the home of major shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, on Tuesday.
The swap will see Tsunoda make his Red Bull debut at his home race in Japan with Lawson returning to the Racing Bulls team.
Red Bull’s current engine partners Honda, who have supported Tsunoda throughout his racing career, are reported to have had some involvement in the deal.
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It is not uncommon for drivers to be demoted back to Red Bull’s junior team after struggling with the step up to the senior outfit, with Daniil Kvyat and current Alpine racer Pierre Gasly suffering the same fate as Lawson in 2016 and 2019 respectively.
Tsunoda made his F1 debut with the then-AlphaTauri team at the beginning of the 2021 season, with the 24-year-old frequently voicing his frustration at being overlooked by the senior Red Bull team over recent years.
Tsunoda was forced to wait until last year’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi for his first outing in a Red Bull car, claiming after the run that the title-winning machine of 2024 suited his driving style.
Having emerged as Racing Bulls’ lead driver over recent years, Tsunoda has made an impressive start to the F1 2025 season by making Q3 twice and staring as high as fifth on the grid in Australia.
Tsunoda commented during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend that he would be “100 per cent” ready to step into a Red Bull from the Japanese GP.
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