Red Bull have dropped Liam Lawson after just two races of the season, with Yuki Tsunoda called up to take his place.
The decision was made in the summer for Lawson to replace Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s team-mate, despite the New Zealander having only 11 races under his belt for Red Bull’s second team.
It has been a disastrous start to the year for Lawson and he has paid a swift price. He qualified 18th in Australia and then crashed out, before qualifying last for both the sprint and grand prix in China, failing to register a point in either.
Tsunoda will now get his chance in the Red Bull car, with Lawson demoted to the Racing Bulls.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “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.”
Red Bull sit third in the constructors’ title after the first two races of the season, with Verstappen in second in the drivers’ standings and only eight points off Lando Norris, despite suggesting his team have the fourth fastest car on the grid.
Tsunoda will make his Red Bull debut at his home race in Japan next weekend, when the pressure will be on to show an improvement on what Lawson managed.
The 24-year-old, who has never been on the podium during his Formula One career, has raced for Red Bull’s second team for the last four years, but was overlooked for the seat in the summer as it was deemed that Lawson was mentally stronger.
Speaking in China, Tsunoda said he was ready to step into the Red Bull car if required, but Lawson hit back at those comments.
“I’ve raced him for years, raced him in junior categories and beat him — and I did in F1 as well, so he can say whatever he wants,” Lawson said.
However, Tsunoda now has the opportunity to partner Verstappen, while Lawson will attempt to rebuild his reputation in a Racing Bulls car that has displayed promising signs in the opening weeks of the season.
"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,” Horner said.
“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."
