Red Bull reshuffles its driver line-up as Yuki Tsunoda steps in to replace Liam Lawson for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
According to Dutch outlet De Limburger—and confirmed by multiple sources including F1Lead—Red Bull has reportedly decided to part ways with Liam Lawson, effective immediately. Yuki Tsunoda is set to take the wheel of the RB21 starting in Japan.
The key talks happened during a stopover in Dubai, where Red Bull’s top brass, including Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko, met with senior management from Red Bull Racing. The outcome: time to act fast and make a change.
One major player behind the scenes? Honda. The Japanese engine supplier had already invested €10 million into the Racing Bulls project, and was reportedly ready to double that for Tsunoda to get a shot in the main Red Bull seat in 2024. Sources say Red Bull recently reopened discussions with Honda, and the company is open to a fresh agreement to support Tsunoda’s promotion.
Liam Lawson will return to Racing Bulls, where he’s expected to team up with French driver Isack Hadjar.
An official announcement from Red Bull Racing is expected within hours or days. Stay tuned.
Analysis: Tsunoda set for Red Bull seat, Lawson sidelined
Red Bull is preparing a bold move: Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson as of the Japanese Grand Prix, according to multiple reliable sources close to the team.
This promotion of Tsunoda is strategically significant on several levels:
-Honda partnership: Honda, Red Bull’s engine partner until the end of 2025 before switching to Aston Martin, has supported Tsunoda since the start of his Formula 1 career. The Japanese manufacturer sees Tsunoda as a key opportunity to place a Japanese driver at the forefront again, a position the country has long lacked.
-Ideal timing at Suzuka: The anticipated switch just before the Japanese GP offers Red Bull and Honda a strong marketing opportunity. Tsunoda would officially debut as a Red Bull driver during a promotional event planned in Tokyo, amplifying the impact of the announcement.
-Why is Lawson being dropped so soon? Liam Lawson, who replaced Sergio Perez at the start of this season alongside Verstappen, never convinced the team. Two disastrous weekends in Australia and China—poor qualifying and mistakes during races—quickly led Red Bull management to lose confidence and consider immediate, drastic action.
Red Bull’s Ruthless Standards
-Maximum pressure at Red Bull: The Austrian team once again demonstrates that it has minimal tolerance for underperformance, even after just two races. This highlights both the enormous pressure on Red Bull drivers and the team’s readiness to swiftly make radical decisions.
-Is Tsunoda the right choice? Although Red Bull previously expressed doubts regarding Tsunoda’s emotional maturity when paired with Verstappen, his recent progress and strong performances at AlphaTauri convinced management he finally deserved the opportunity previously delayed by these internal concerns.
-Consequences for Lawson: Lawson faces a harsh return to AlphaTauri, where he will have to rebuild his reputation after this rapid failure. He also loses a crucial opportunity: Suzuka is the only circuit where he already had F1 experience, making it the ideal chance to relaunch his prospects.
This decision represents a major turning point for Tsunoda, Red Bull, and Honda. It now remains to be seen if Tsunoda will succeed where predecessors like Lawson quickly failed.
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Red Bull Drops Lawson: Tsunoda Gets Japan GP Call-Up
Red Bull Drops Lawson: Tsunoda Gets Japan GP Call-Up
