Lawson dropped for Tsunoda

Kiwi Liam Lawson has been dropped by Red Bull in record time as Yuki Tsunoda gets an elevation ahead of his home Grand Prix.

After just two races, Lawson has been demoted from the top team to back Racing Bulls, while Tsunoda makes a long awaited elevation in time to race in front of his home fans at Suzuka.

After intense speculation, Red Bull has made the decision after the 23-year-old Kiwi struggled to get up to speed with the RB21 at Australia and China.

At the start of his first full F1 season Lawson failed to get out of Q1 and spun out in the Melbourne rain and qualifying last twice in Shanghai with a best result of 14th.

Being dropped after just two races and tracks Lawson had never seen before is fast for even Red Bull standards, with the previous shortest stint at the team three races when Dutch driver Robert Doornbrs competed at the end of the 2006 season.

Tsunoda will become the fifth driver to partner Max Verstappen in the six seasons since Daniel Riccardo left the team at the end of 2018.

Initially Pierre Gasly was turned to before he was dropped in favour of rookie Alex Albon after 12 races.

Albon had the seat from the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix until 2021 when Sergio Perez was backed.

After picking up wins across his first three seasons, Perez was dumped after a winless 2024 despite having a year left on his contract.

Having shown promise across 11 starts spread across two years at Racing Bulls, Lawson was picked to replace Perez at the top team.

Now it will be Tsunoda, 24, who will be rewarded for patience and in line for a dream home race in Suzuka.

He has four completed seasons under his belt with last year’s 12^th place his best result.

Tsunoda is the second highest of the four Red Bull backed drivers in the 2025 championship courtesy of his sixth place in the China Sprint and has made Q3 on both occasions.

The Japanese Grand Prix is on April 4-6.

After a tough start to 2025 that sees Red Bull not lead the constructors title fight after two races for the first time since 2022, Christian Horner said the team had to act quickly.

Yuki Tsunoda will race for Red Bull at Suzuka. Image: Getty Images Red Bull Content Pool

“It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and, as a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch,” said Horner.

“We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers’ Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors’ title and this is a purely sporting decision.

“We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car. We welcome him to the team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21.

“We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well.”

Lawson reacted on social media in the aftermath of the announcement and admitted racing for Red Bull was a dream.

Being a Red Bull driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it’s what I’ve worked towards my whole life,” Lawson wrote.

“It’s tough, but im grateful for everything that’s brought me to this point. To every one of you who’s stood by me, thank you for all the support it means the world.

“Thanks Racing Bulls for the warm welcome, I’m excited and ready to go to work at one of my favourite places.”

Image: Red Bull Content Pool

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