Red Bull Shake-Up: Tsunoda Replaces Lawson After Rocky Start to 2025 F1 Season

Red Bull Takes Drastic Action After Disappointing Start

In a dramatic mid-season shakeup, Red Bull Racing has announced that Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson starting from the Japanese Grand Prix. The decision comes after just two races with the struggling New Zealander at the wheel of the problematic RB21 chassis.

Performance Issues Force Early Change

Team principal Christian Horner described the move as a "purely sporting decision" after Lawson's disastrous performances in Australia and China:

Failed to finish in Melbourne
Qualified last for both sprint and main race in Shanghai
Recorded zero championship points

"It's been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21," Horner admitted. "Yuki's experience will prove invaluable as we work to develop this car."

Tsunoda's Homecoming Glory

The timing couldn't be more poetic for Japanese driver Tsunoda, who makes his Red Bull senior team debut at Suzuka - a circuit where he:

Scored his maiden F1 points in 2021
Achieved a career-best 6th place finish (2023)
Will now partner reigning champion Max Verstappen

Behind the Scenes: Honda's Influence

Sources reveal that engine supplier Honda, set to depart for Aston Martin in 2026, played a key role in facilitating Tsunoda's promotion. The move allows them to:

Showcase their successful partnership with Red Bull
Reward their longtime protege Tsunoda
Maximize performance before their factory exit

Lawson's Rocky Road

The demotion marks a stunning reversal for Lawson, whose Red Bull stint lasted just 99 days. The statistics paint a grim picture:

Metric	Lawson's Performance
Races Completed	1 of 2
Championship Points	0
Average Qualifying	19.5 (out of 20)
Laps Completed	78/129 (60.4%)

Horner emphasized this isn't the end for Lawson: "He'll continue developing with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, a team he knows well."

Looking Ahead: Red Bull's Challenges

The RB21 continues to plague Red Bull, with even Verstappen admitting it's "a long way off race-winning pace." Tsunoda now faces:

Immediate pressure to perform
The challenge of adapting mid-season
Developing an uncompetitive car
Partnering the dominant Verstappen

This marks the third different teammate for Verstappen in four races - an unprecedented situation for a defending champion since Nelson Piquet in 1984.