Yuki Tsunoda promoted to Red Bull ahead of F1 Japanese Grand Prix

On December 19, 2024, Liam Lawson was announced as a Red Bull driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Less than 100 days later, Lawson heads to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, as Red Bull has decided after just two races to switch Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. Tsuonda will make his Red Bull debut at his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix.

For days speculation grew around the paddock and the sport that Red Bull was seriously considering such a switch, given Lawson’s struggles in the first two races of the F1 season. Lawson has not scored a point this year, over the Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese Grand Prix, and qualified in P20 at both the F1 Sprint and the Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Meanwhile Tsunoda, who was also under consideration for a move to Red Bull alongside Verstappen for the 2025 season, qualified inside the top ten in all three qualifying sessions so far this season, and secured points in the F1 Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix. Were it not for some strategy decisions, as well as a sudden front wing failure in Shanghai, Tsunoda may have finished in the points in all three events.

Now, he heads to Red Bull for his home race, to drive alongside Verstappen and to try and tame the difficult RB21.

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner explained the decision in a statement on Thursday.

“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. 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,” began Horner.

“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,” added Horner.

VCARB team boss Laurent Mekies praised both young drivers, starting with Tsunoda.

“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,” said Mekies.

“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 [Oracle Red Bull Racing].

“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 [Hadjar] having started strongly with us already, we know we have a young and strong lineup,” added the VCARB boss.

Red Bull’s second seat has long been a matter of discussion, with many going as far as to call the spot cursed. Tsunoda will become Max Verstappen’s sixth teammate since he slotted into his current seat in 2016, but with this move, Lawson becomes the quickest driver to lose their spot alongside Verstappen. Lawson completed just 102 laps, over only two race weekends, during his time at Red Bull.

Perhaps he will make a return one day, but for now, that seat is Tsunoda’s.