​In a swift and surprising move, Red Bull Racing has replaced Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda after just two races in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Lawson’s performances in Melbourne and Shanghai fell short of expectations, leading to his demotion back to the junior team, Racing Bulls. Tsunoda, who impressed with significant improvements, steps up to partner Max Verstappen, starting with his home race at the Japanese Grand Prix. ​

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko acknowledged the team’s misstep in promoting Lawson prematurely, stating that his performances were “not good enough” and attributing this to a loss of confidence. Marko expressed that the decision wasn’t a demotion but a strategic move to preserve Lawson’s future in F1, referencing the career comebacks of drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon as precedents.

The abrupt change has caused ripples within the team, notably affecting Verstappen, who has publicly shown his dissatisfaction with the decision. Marko acknowledged Verstappen’s unhappiness but emphasized the necessity of having two competitive cars to support the team’s championship aspirations. ​

Looking ahead, Marko has assured that Tsunoda will remain with Red Bull for the entire season, aiming to provide stability and strengthen the team’s performance. The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix will be a pivotal moment for Tsunoda, marking his debut with the senior team on home soil.