Red Bull has made a dramatic decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, according to ESPN sources. This surprising move comes just two races into Lawson’s time with the senior team, marking a significant reshuffling within Red Bull’s driver lineup.
The decision is expected to be officially announced later this week once all details are finalized. With this change, Tsunoda will become Max Verstappen’s third different teammate in the past four races, following Lawson’s brief stint as a replacement for Sergio Perez.
Lawson’s Struggles Prompt Red Bull’s Bold Decision to Promote Tsunoda for Japan
The decision to replace Lawson appears to stem from his poor performances in the last two races. In Australia, the Kiwi driver struggled with qualifying, placing 18th before crashing out in wet conditions. His struggles continued in China, where he qualified last for both the sprint and the main race, finishing well outside the points.
Given these underwhelming results, Red Bull’s leadership deemed it necessary to make an immediate change. Although the decision was officially made in a meeting at the start of the week, sources suggest Lawson already had a sense of what was coming before leaving the Shanghai circuit.
Liam Lawson (Formula 1)Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion is particularly significant given Red Bull’s history of making bold and sometimes ruthless driver decisions. Tsunoda, who has been a part of Red Bull’s junior team since 2021, has long been supported by Honda, Red Bull’s outgoing engine partner.
His promotion to the senior team for his home race in Japan is a storybook moment. However, Red Bull’s willingness to make such drastic moves highlights their relentless approach to securing the best possible driver lineup. Many in the Formula 1 community believed that Tsunoda should have been given the opportunity instead of Lawson at the start of the season.
Tsunoda’s Promotion Offers Redemption, While Lawson Faces a Challenging Return to Racing Bulls
Despite Racing Bulls’ strategic mistakes costing him points, Tsunoda has impressed with his strong performances in the early races of the season. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who had previously been reluctant to promote the Japanese driver, has been convinced by Tsunoda’s consistent form.
His performances have made him a logical choice for Red Bull as they seek to strengthen their driver lineup alongside Verstappen. This decision gives Tsunoda a significant opportunity to prove himself at the highest level, particularly in front of his home fans in Japan.
With Tsunoda’s promotion, Lawson will return to Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s junior team, where he will race alongside fellow rookie Isack Hadjar. Despite his brief and unsuccessful run with the senior team, Lawson remains a promising talent, though he will need to prove himself again to regain a shot at Red Bull in the future.
Officially classified as a rookie this season, he now faces the challenge of rebuilding his reputation in a highly competitive environment. Meanwhile, Tsunoda’s elevation marks a crucial moment in his career as he steps into a more competitive role within the Red Bull organization.
