Lawson lasts just 2 races
In a controversial yet expected move, Red Bull have once again dropped a junior driver, in the middle of an ongoing season, this time after just two races as Liam Lawson has been demoted from Red Bull Racing to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB). Red Bull will have Yuki Tsunoda step up from the VCARB team to replace Liam Lawson and partner Max Verstappen from the Japanese Grand Prix 2025, which will also be Tsunoda’s home race.
Lawson, who made his Formula One debut for VCARB at the Dutch Grand Prix 2023 to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo and went on to start for the team in five races. He continued in a Red Bull and VCARB reserve driver role to kick off the Formula One 2024 season before replacing Daniel Ricciardo, with the veteran Australian getting the axe due to poor performances. Lawson, starting from the US Grand Prix 2024, saw out the season and at the end of the season, it was announced that he would replace Sergio Pérez at Red Bull.
The Red Bull stint, beside reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, has lasted only two races though as Lawson has had a nightmare start to the season, crashing out in the first race of the season in Melbourne and finishing 12th at the Chinese Grand Prix. With Lawson not having scored any points, Red Bull’s Constructors’ standing has taken a big hit as they are currently in third place, behind McLaren and Mercedes and are 21 points off Mercedes in second place.
Lawson getting the axe in the middle of the season isn’t the first time though that Red Bull have made such a move. Pierre Gasly was replaced by Alex Albon mid season in 2019.
For Tsunoda though, it’s a welcome promotion, especially after the young Japanese driver’s form in the recent seasons at the sister Red Bull team helping him get a call-up to the main team. Tsunoda though, will have his task cut out and with a ruthless champion beside him, there is no room for error at Red Bull.
Christian Horner, Team Principal and CEO, Red Bull Racing, commented,
“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. 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.”
Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, added,
“We’re incredibly proud of Yuki earning his well-deserved move to Oracle Red Bull Racing! His progress last year, and more recently from the very start of 2025, has been nothing less than sensational. Personally, and collectively, it has been an immense privilege to witness those progresses for all of us in Faenza and in Milton Keynes. Yuki’s energy and positivity has lightened up every corner of our factories and of our garage and he will always be a Racing Bull! We wish him all the success he deserves at ORBR. Everyone here at VCARB is looking forward to working hard with Liam to give him the best environment possible for him to shine in our car and to express the talent we all know he has. He fit in so well last year, and we cannot wait to challenge ourselves and grow as a Team. With Isack having started so strongly with us already, we know we have a young and strong lineup.”
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