Yuki Tsunoda replaces Liam Lawson at Red Bull for Japanese GP

Red Bull Racing has announced a driver swap, promoting Yuki Tsunoda to the senior team and demoting Liam Lawson back to their sister team, Racing Bulls, following Lawson's poor performance in the first two races of the 2025 F1 season. Lawson failed to score points and struggled significantly, recording some of the worst qualifying and race results in Red Bull's history, prompting team principal Christian Horner to describe the decision as necessary for both Lawson's development and the team's ambitions. Tsunoda, who has been with Red Bull's junior team since 2019 and is backed by Honda, will make his debut alongside Max Verstappen at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, his home race. The swap highlights the challenges faced by drivers in the competitive environment of F1, particularly at Red Bull, known for its high expectations. Tsunoda's experience, with 92 race entries to his name, was cited as a key factor in the decision to make this strategic change. The move reflects Red Bull's commitment to optimizing performance in pursuit of championship titles and supporting Lawson's growth in a familiar environment.