Red Bull has announced that Liam Lawson has been dropped two races into his spell with the team in Formula 1, trading places with Yuki Tsunoda in a straight swap.
Lawson’s torrid start to the campaign has provoked Red Bull to demote him to Racing Bulls, with ex-team-mate Tsunoda replacing him from the Japanese Grand Prix.
The reports surrounding a possible switch had emerged since Lawson laboured to a second successive scoreless outing during the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend.
Lawson’s short-lived Red Bull stint began with a Q1 elimination and a crash at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, while he also qualified last twice in Shanghai.
The Kiwi had been unable to recover to the points on either occasion as he was classified in 12th place in the main race, despite three cars ahead getting disqualified.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner didn’t rule out a possible change post-race as he stressed the side needs both drivers to be scoring points to aid its championship bid.
Lawson’s struggles coincided with Tsunoda, who was overlooked when Sergio Perez was dropped, sustaining an excellent opening to the campaign with Racing Bulls.
The Japanese driver came home sixth in the Sprint race in China and was poised to add more points in both grands prix without two strategic blunders from his team.
But Tsunoda’s exploits haven’t gone unnoticed as he has been handed his long-awaited chance with the parent Red Bull side, with his debut to arrive at his home race.
Tsunoda’s promotion to partner reigning champion Max Verstappen comes as Red Bull lie third in the Constructors’ Championship, 42 points behind leaders McLaren.
Meanwhile, Lawson will return to Red Bull’s satellite squad, Racing Bulls, the team in which he made 11 starts in F1 with across two previous spells in 2023 and 2024.
“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 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.
“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.”
Lawson returns to Racing Bulls
With Red Bull executing a straight swap, Lawson returns to the Racing Bulls outfit with which he made his first 11 GP starts.
The New Zealander will partner rookie Isack Hadjar, and Team Principal Laurent Mekies has welcomed Lawson back into the fold while hailing Tsunoda for his promotion.
“We’re incredibly proud of Yuki earning his well-deserved move to Oracle Red Bull Racing! His progress last year, and more recently from the very start of 2025, has been nothing less than sensational,” Mekies began.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
READ MORE – Yuki Tsunoda still eager to land Red Bull shot despite Liam Lawson woes
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