Red Bull Racing have announced the immediate promotion of Yuki Tsunoda from sister team Racing Bulls as a replacement for Liam Lawson, Afrosport reports.
Lawson was promoted ahead of Tsonoda at the end of 2024 after Red Bull axed Sergio Perez following a string of poor results that saw them finish the year third in the constructors’ championship behind McLaren and Ferrari.
Lawson has however had a poor start to 2025 with the senior team, recording a DNF at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and a 12th place finish at last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix which has left Red Bull 42 points behind McLaren.
The New Zealander has now been demoted back to Racing Bulls and will race alongside rookie Isack Hadjar for the rest of the season.
“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 Christian Horner said in a statement.
“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.”
Announcing that @yukitsunoda07 will partner Max from the #JapaneseGP
pic.twitter.com/Pz05P7cFKF
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 27, 2025
Tsunoda will make his Red Bull debut at his home race in next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The 24-year-old will partner reigning world champion Max Verstappen, becoming the Dutch driver’s fifth teammate since 2018.
