Red Bull is set to replace Liam Lawson just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season, according to multiple reports.
Following an emergency meeting in Dubai, the F1 team has decided to promote Yuki Tsunoda from its Racing Bulls team to partner with four-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen, according to Dutch outlet De Limburger.
Lawson, 23, was selected in December by team principal Christian 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.
Tsunodo is expected to take over Lawson’s seat at his home circuit at the Japanese Grand Prix, with Lawson returning to team with Hadjar at Racing Bulls. According to the Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Verstappen “disagrees with management’s decision to intervene so soon.”
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
