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Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson at the Japanese Grand Prix and going forward, Red Bull confirmed Thursday.

The move to promote Tsunoda from its Racing Bulls team to partner with four-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen comes after Lawson struggled during both the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix.

“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,” Red Bull team principal and CEO Christian Horner said. “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, 23, was selected in December by Horner to replace Sergio Perez, who reached an agreement to part ways with Red Bull after four years. Tsunoda was among those who was also in consideration for the seat, as was Isack Hadjar.

However, the team ultimately decided to go with Lawson, who had been on the Red Bull junior team since 2019 and took over Daniel Ricciardo’s seat during last season.

The New Zealander entered 2025 with 11 F1 starts to his credit but has been unable to keep pace to begin 2025 in the RB21 car. Lawson failed to get out of Q1 in Australia and China and has yet to register a point for the team with P15 and P12 finishes. He was the slowest car on the grid during both the spring and qualifying sessions in China.

Honda has been a significant proponent of Tsunoda’s, reportedly offering millions of dollars for the 24-year-old Japanese star to get an opportunity to race alongside Verstappen in his fifth F1 season.

Red Bull finished third in the 2024 constructors’ championship, and currently sits behind McLaren and Mercedes two races into 2025. That’s with Verstappen contributing all 36 points to the team so far.

The Racing Bulls are ninth, with Tsunoda contributing all three of the team’s points while showing impressive pace.

–Field Level Media