In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Red Bull Racing has announced the replacement of driver Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda after just two races into the 2025 season. This decision comes on the heels of Lawson’s underwhelming performances at the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix, where he struggled with the RB21 car, failing to secure any points.
Lawson, the 23-year-old New Zealander, was promoted to Red Bull’s main team this season, replacing Sergio Pérez. Despite high expectations, his inability to adapt quickly to the RB21’s challenges led to his demotion back to the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team. Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that swift action was necessary to bolster the team’s performance and aid in the development of their car.
Yuki Tsunoda, who has 89 races of experience, will step in to partner with reigning world champion Max Verstappen starting from the Japanese Grand Prix. Tsunoda’s promotion is seen as a strategic move to leverage his experience in refining the RB21 and enhancing the team’s prospects in the constructors’ championship.
The decision has not been without controversy. Max Verstappen reportedly expressed his discontent by liking a critical Instagram post regarding Lawson’s replacement. This subtle act has fueled speculation about internal disagreements within the team regarding the handling of driver line-ups.
In response to his demotion, Lawson took to social media, sharing a heartfelt post featuring a childhood drawing of his dream to become an F1 driver. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing his passion, stating, “This has been my dream since I was a kid. The journey continues.”
This abrupt change underscores the high-pressure environment of Formula 1, where performance is paramount, and teams are unhesitant to make swift decisions to maintain a competitive edge. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Tsunoda to see if he can rise to the occasion and on Lawson to observe how he navigates this challenging chapter in his racing career.
