Yuki Tsunoda to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull
- Sebastian Alston
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 5
It's official, Yuki Tsunoda has been promoted to Red Bull Racing, whilst Liam Lawson will return to Racing Bulls after just two races with the senior team.
Red Bull officially announced the decision earlier today, which will see Yuki Tsunoda finally get his chance at the senior team after 4 and a bit years with the junior team.
Christian Horner explaining the decision 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.
"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. 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."
Liam endured a difficult start to his life at Red Bull, failing to make it out of Q1/SQ1 in his three qualifying sessions, and failing to score any points.
The Kiwi posted a heartfelt message on Instagram about his time at Red Bull:
"Being a Red Bull Racing driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it's what I've worked towards my whole life. It's tough, but I'm grateful for everything that's brought me to this point. To every one of you who's stood by me, thank you for all the support it means the world.
"Thank you VCARB for the warm welcome, I'm excited and ready to go to work at one of my favourite places.."
On the other hand, Yuki has been one of the standout drivers over the past year and a half, with some key results including P3 in Brazil Qualifying last year, P5 in Melbourne Qualifying this year, and P6 in last weekend's Chinese Sprint.
The decision to promote Liam ahead of Yuki at the end of last season was seen as somewhat controversial, as Yuki had been the slightly quicker driver of the pair.
Last season, Horner explained the decision as being due to Liam showing more potential as he was close to Yuki's pace despite being vastly less experienced.
As well as this, there has been the belief that due to Honda's ties with Yuki, and Red Bull moving away from Honda engines from 2026 onwards, his future with the Red Bull stable may have been short-lived.
However, after Liam's failure to deliver, it seems Red Bull has reassessed their evaluation, as Christian Horner said Yuki's post-season test with Red Bull, which was organised by Honda, impressed the team.
Liam will return to RB, whom he drove for from Austin onwards last season, whilst also making five appearances for them in 2023.
Liam Lawson becomes the latest Red Bull junior driver to be demoted mid-season, after Pierre Gasly in 2019 and Daniil Kvyat in 2016.
However, Liam has been demoted after just two races, whilst Pierre had 12 and Daniil had a full season and three races under his belt.
Both returned to the junior team, but to varying degrees of success, with Daniil never being able to rediscover his old form, whilst Pierre went on to become the highest points scorer in the team's history.
Notably, Pierre was still unable to convince the Red Bull hierarchy to give him a second chance with the senior team, despite scoring three podiums, showing Liam has his work cut out if he ever wants another shot with Red Bull.
Yuki Tsunoda will make his Red Bull debut at his home Japanese GP, and you can follow it all from ShefF1.co.uk our Instagram @sheff1podcast, and our Twitter/X @F1Shef
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