Red Bull confirms Tsunoda in, Lawson out for Japanese Grand Prix

MILTON KEYNES–Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson in the top-ranking Formula One team.

Tsunoda will step in for Lawson from the Japanese Grand Prix after Lawson struggled to adapt to the Red Bull machinery.

"Following a difficult opening period to the season for Liam Lawson, Oracle Red Bull Racing have made the decision that from the 2025 Japan GP, Yuki Tsunoda will drive for Oracle Red Bull Racing and Liam will drive for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls," read a statement from the team.

"Red Bull are in the unique position of having four seats on the Formula One grid, across Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls."

"And as such, the Team have made the decision to exercise a driver rotation, that will see Yuki partner current and four-time World Champion, Max Verstappen."

The New Zealander raced alongside the Japanese driver at the Racing Bulls late last year after replacing Daniel Ricciardo mid-season.

His performance was enough to earn him a promotion in the cutthroat Red Bull pecking order, with Sergio Perez dumped from the team after failing to compete on par with teammate Max Verstappen.

Red Bull suffered greatly from the uncompetitive nature of the second car, losing the constructors' championship to McLaren.

Lawson made his debut for Red Bull in the Australian Grand Prix, crashing out in the difficult conditions, before finishing 14th in the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix after fighting his way through the field from the back of the grid.

After a disappointing qualifying for the grand prix, Lawson was 12th in China after again starting from pit lane. The Kiwi had crossed the line in 15th, earning a promotion in the standings following the disqualifications of Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, and Pierre Gasly.

"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," said team principal and CEO Christian Horner.

"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."

Tsunoda made his way up the FIA ladder from karting to the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships, before a promotion to Formula 1 in 2021.

The Japanese driver's form has mirrored the team's technical improvements over the past four seasons, earning a majority of the RB team's points last year and finishing sixth in the sprint race last week in China.

"We're incredibly proud of Yuki earning his well-deserved move to Oracle Red Bull Racing!" said Racing Bulls team principal Lauren Mekies.

"His progress last year, and more recently from the very start of 2025, has been nothing less than sensational. Personally, and collectively, it has been an immense privilege to witness those progresses for all of us in Faenza and in Milton Keynes."

"Yuki's energy and positivity has lightened up every corner of our factories and of our garage and he will always be a Racing Bull! We wish him all the success he deserves at ORBR."

Lawson will return to the Racing Bulls alongside rookie Isack Hadjar.

"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," said Horner.

"Everyone here at VCARB is looking forward to working hard with Liam to give him the best environment possible for him to shine in our car and to express the talent we all know he has," added Mekies.

"He fit in so well last year, and we cannot wait to challenge ourselves and grow as a team. With Isack having started strongly with us already, we know we have a young and strong lineup."

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