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Red Bull Replaces Lawson with Tsunoda After Two Races

The team cites performance concerns and car development needs, with Tsunoda set to debut at the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6.

Formula One F1 - F1 75 Live Season Launch - The O2, London, Britain - February 18, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson during the launch REUTERS/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
Formula One F1 - Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China - March 23, 2025 Red Bull's Max Verstappen passes the chequered flag to finish fourth place in the Chinese Grand Prix REUTERS/Go Nakamura/File Photo
Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2024 RB's Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson before practice REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo

Overview

  • Red Bull Racing has demoted Liam Lawson to Racing Bulls and promoted Yuki Tsunoda as Max Verstappen's new teammate after just two races in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
  • Lawson struggled with the RB21 car, qualifying 18th in Australia and 20th in China, and failing to score points in either race, while Red Bull trails McLaren and Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship.
  • Team principal Christian Horner emphasized the decision was 'sporting,' aiming to protect Lawson's career and utilize Tsunoda's experience to address car development challenges.
  • Critics, including former drivers, have labeled the move harsh and indicative of broader management issues at Red Bull, with Verstappen liking a post critical of the decision.
  • Tsunoda, who has four years of F1 experience, will debut as a Red Bull driver at his home race in Japan, tasked with improving team performance and supporting Verstappen's title defense.