Red Bull confirm decision to dump Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda ahead of Japanese Grand Prix

The 24-year-old Tsunoda will take over from the struggling New Zealander starting at his home Japanese Grand Prix next week at Suzuka

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Red Bull Racing has ended days of speculation by confirming that New Zealand driver Liam Lawson has been axed and replaced by Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda after just two race weekends of the F1 season. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:34pm, 27 Mar 2025Updated: 7:12pm, 27 Mar 2025

Red Bull said on Thursday that Liam Lawson has been axed and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, confirming days of speculation after disappointing performances in the first two races of the Formula One season.

Tsunoda will take over from the New Zealander starting at his home Japanese Grand Prix next week at Suzuka, Red Bull said in a statement.

The 24-year-old Tsunoda moves up from the Racing Bulls (RB) sister team to partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen, with Lawson moving back down to RB, where he was last season.

Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, said: “It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 [car] 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.”

Liam Lawson walks back to his team garage after the Chinese Grand Prix last week. Photo: AFP

Lawson, 23, who was drafted in from RB in the winter to replace Sergio Perez, has endured a miserable start to the season and life at one of the top teams on the grid.