In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, Red Bull Racing has announced a dramatic driver swap just two races into the 2025 season. Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson at the senior Red Bull team starting at the Japanese Grand Prix on April 4-6, while Lawson will return to the Racing Bulls squad.
The decision, confirmed on March 27, 2025, reflects Red Bull’s characteristic ruthlessness and strategic urgency as they aim to reclaim the Constructors’ Championship and support Max Verstappen’s title defense. Here’s a deep dive into the reasoning, implications, and reactions surrounding this audacious switch.
A Rocky Start for Lawson
Liam Lawson’s tenure at Red Bull began with high hopes. The 23-year-old New Zealander earned his promotion from Racing Bulls after a promising stint in the latter half of 2024, replacing Daniel Ricciardo and showing flashes of potential alongside Tsunoda. Red Bull opted for Lawson over the more experienced Tsunoda to succeed Sergio Perez, who exited the team after a dismal 2024 campaign. However, Lawson’s transition to the senior team has been nothing short of a nightmare.
At the season opener in Australia, Lawson qualified 18th and crashed out on lap 46, failing to capitalize on a treacherous race. In China, his struggles deepened as he qualified dead last for both the sprint and main races, starting from the pit lane each time due to setup changes. He finished 12th in Shanghai, aided by disqualifications ahead, but trailed teammate Max Verstappen by a gaping margin—sometimes close to a second per lap.
Red Bull’s RB21, described by both drivers as unpredictable and difficult to handle, exposed Lawson’s inexperience. Despite his familiarity with tracks like Suzuka from Super Formula and pre-season testing in Bahrain, Lawson couldn’t find his footing.
Team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the Kiwi’s potential but emphasized the team’s “duty of care” to protect him. “It’s been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21,” Horner said in a statement. “We’ve collectively taken the decision to make an early switch.” Lawson’s return to Racing Bulls, where he’ll partner rookie Isack Hadjar, offers a lower-pressure environment to rebuild confidence—a path previously trodden by drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon.
Tsunoda’s Long-Awaited Shot
For Yuki Tsunoda, this promotion is a career-defining opportunity. Now in his fifth F1 season, the 24-year-old Japanese driver has matured significantly since his fiery debut with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2021. His 2024 season showcased consistency and resilience, outscoring teammates Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Lawson. This year, Tsunoda kicked off with a fifth-place qualifying in Australia and a sixth-place finish in the China sprint, despite a strategic misstep and a front wing failure costing him in the main races.
Tsunoda’s form prompted Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko to note in Shanghai, “Yuki is in the form of his life—a different Yuki than the one we saw in previous years.” Yet, his promotion wasn’t a foregone conclusion.
Over the winter, Red Bull favored Lawson’s adaptability and mental toughness, sidelining Tsunoda despite his experience. Honda’s financial backing—reportedly around €10 million—may have sweetened the deal, especially as Red Bull offsets the cost of Perez’s contract termination.
With Honda’s partnership ending in 2025 ahead of a switch to Ford powertrains in 2026, Tsunoda’s future beyond this season remains uncertain, adding extra stakes to his Red Bull stint.
The timing couldn’t be more symbolic: Tsunoda steps into the RB21 at his home Grand Prix in Suzuka. “Japan? Yeah, 100%. The [Red Bull] car is faster,” he said confidently in China when asked about a potential swap. However, the pressure will be immense—both from the home crowd and the towering benchmark set by Verstappen.
Why Now? The Five Key Factors
Red Bull’s decision, finalized after a high-level meeting in Dubai with Horner, Marko, and Thai shareholders, hinges on several critical factors:
- Lawson’s Struggles: The data from Lawson’s RB21 showed no signs of imminent improvement. Horner noted that 600 sensors and 400 engineers’ efforts were being undermined by his lack of performance. With limited testing opportunities, Red Bull couldn’t wait for him to adapt.
- Tsunoda’s Experience: Tsunoda’s four-plus years in F1 offer technical insight to develop the tricky RB21 alongside Verstappen. His consistency this season contrasts sharply with Lawson’s rookie woes.
- Constructors’ Title Ambitions: After losing the 2024 Constructors’ Championship to McLaren, Red Bull needs both cars scoring points. Verstappen has carried the team thus far, but a second driver languishing at the back jeopardizes their 2025 goals.
- Honda’s Influence: The Japanese manufacturer’s backing aligns with Tsunoda’s promotion at Suzuka, a poetic nod to their partnership’s final year. It’s a low-risk financial move for Red Bull, even if Tsunoda’s long-term role is unclear.
- Protecting Lawson: Rather than letting Lawson flounder and risk derailing his career, Red Bull opted to “get off at the first station,” as commentator Alex Brundle put it, preserving his potential for a future return.
Reactions and Controversy
The swap has sparked intense debate. Some laud Red Bull’s decisiveness, echoing their history of mid-season changes—like Verstappen’s 2016 promotion over Daniil Kvyat. Others decry it as excessively harsh. “Is it fair to drop Lawson after just two races? No, it’s probably not,” Motorsport.com mused, while acknowledging the team’s broader responsibility to its 1,000-plus employees.
Posts on X reflect the divide. One user called it “a win-win,” citing Lawson’s relief from pressure and Honda’s financial incentive, while another argued it’s “a minor sanction” for Lawson’s poor results, urging him to seize his Racing Bulls chance. Critics, however, see it as a symptom of deeper issues. “Red Bull’s descent into madness continues,” The Race opined, suggesting the RB21’s flaws—not just Lawson—are the root cause.
Verstappen’s reported displeasure, per Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, adds intrigue. The four-time champion allegedly disagrees with the swift intervention, perhaps wary of yet another teammate change (Tsunoda will be his fifth since Ricciardo’s 2018 exit). Yet, he’s also hinted at Lawson’s potential in a friendlier car, saying in China, “If you give Liam the Racing Bulls car, he’ll be quicker.”
What’s Next?
For Tsunoda, Suzuka is a proving ground. A strong showing could cement his place or attract suitors for 2026, given his uncertain Red Bull future post-Honda. For Lawson, Racing Bulls offers a reset—though he’ll need to outshine Hadjar to stay in the conversation. Red Bull, meanwhile, faces a pivotal moment: if Tsunoda falters, questions about their driver strategy and the RB21’s development will intensify.
As the F1 circus descends on Suzuka, all eyes will be on this reshuffled lineup. In Red Bull’s high-stakes world, there’s no room for sentiment—only results. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Tsunoda-Lawson swap has set the stage for a dramatic chapter in the 2025 season.