DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Red Bull’s recent decision to replace driver Liam Lawson after just two races marks a significant move in the team’s Formula One history. Known for its bold midseason driver swaps, including promoting Max Verstappen in 2016, Red Bull opted for an early change this season.
During a meeting held in Dubai just after the Chinese Grand Prix, Red Bull management and shareholders reached a unanimous decision regarding Lawson’s departure from the team. The move was deemed necessary to enhance the overall performance of the second Red Bull car, provide valuable feedback for car development, and offer support to Lawson for his career.
Lawson, who was brought up from Red Bull’s junior team to replace Sergio Pérez, struggled with qualifying results and performance expectations. Despite initial confidence in Lawson’s potential, his challenges on the track became apparent early on in the season, prompting Red Bull to make the difficult decision to replace him with Yuki Tsunoda.
Tsunoda, with more experience and familiarity with the Racing Bulls environment, is expected to bring an improvement in performance to the team. Red Bull’s move also aims to support Lawson’s transition back to the junior team, where he can rebuild his confidence and skills with a more forgiving car setup.
The decision to replace Lawson after just two races signifies a bold and unexpected twist in the 2025 Formula One season. Red Bull’s precedent for switching drivers midseason adds to the team’s reputation for making decisive changes in pursuit of performance improvements.
The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix will set the stage for Tsunoda to make his debut as a Red Bull Racing driver, highlighting a new chapter for the team as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of the racing season ahead. With a focus on performance and development, Red Bull aims to maintain its competitive edge on the track while providing support to both its incoming and outgoing drivers.