In a controversial yet expected move, Oracle Red Bull Racing have dropped junior driver Liam Lawson just two races into the 2025 Formula One season.
Lawson has been demoted to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB), with Yuki Tsunoda stepping up from the Italian outfit to replace him and partner Max Verstappen at the Milton Keynes-headquartered side, starting with his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix.
Lawson, who made his F1 debut with VCARB at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, replacing an injured Daniel Ricciardo, went on to start five races for the team. He remained a reserve driver for both Red Bull and VCARB at the start of last season before replacing Ricciardo again, the veteran Australian having been axed due to poor performances. Starting with the 2024 US Grand Prix, Lawson saw out the season and was announced as Sergio Pérez’s successor at Red Bull starting this season.
Lawson has had a nightmare start to this season. He crashed out in the first race in Melbourne and finished 12th at the Chinese Grand Prix. With the Kiwi racer not scoring any points, Red Bull’s Constructors’ standing has taken a big hit. They’re currently in third place, behind McLaren and Mercedes, the latter 21 points clear of them in second.
This isn’t the first time Red Bull have replaced a junior driver mid-season; Pierre Gasly was replaced by Alex Albon in 2019.
For Tsunoda, it’s a welcome promotion. The young Japanese driver has impressed with his form with VCARB in recent seasons. He faces a tough challenge, though—alongside a ruthless champion, there is no room for error for the 24-year-old.
Christian Horner, Team Principal and CEO, Oracle 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, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team, 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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