Tsunoda promotion sends shockwaves through F1® Paddock

In a stunning development that has electrified the Formula 1® paddock, Red Bull Racing is promoting Yuki Tsunoda to their senior team from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards, replacing Liam Lawson after just two races into the 2025 season. The dramatic seat swap announced today comes as Tsunoda prepares to race for the championship-winning team at his home Grand Prix in Suzuka next weekend, creating what will undoubtedly be an electric atmosphere as the Japanese driver steps into one of the sport's most coveted seats alongside reigning World Champion Max Verstappen.

Lawson, who had earned his promotion to Red Bull following impressive performances replacing Daniel Ricciardo at Racing Bulls in late 2024, has struggled significantly with the RB21 during the season-opening Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. The New Zealander's difficult start included a crash in Melbourne's challenging conditions before finishing a distant 15th in Shanghai (later promoted to 12th following multiple disqualifications).

Red Bull Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner explained the reasoning behind the swift change: "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."

The move mirrors previous Red Bull driver demotions, recalling the cases of Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly, who each returned to the sister outfit after brief stints with the main team in 2016 and 2019 respectively. Lawson will now return to Racing Bulls alongside rookie Isack Hadjar.

Tsunoda's Journey to the Top

Tsunoda's promotion comes after four full seasons in Formula 1®, having made his debut with AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) in 2021. The 24-year-old has shown steady development throughout his career, notably outperforming recent teammates including Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo.

The Japanese driver delivered what he described as "one of my best" campaigns in 2024, contributing 30 of Racing Bulls' 46 points throughout the season. Despite this impressive performance, the team initially chose Lawson over Tsunoda for the 2025 Red Bull seat when Sergio Perez departed.

At the time, Tsunoda showed remarkable maturity, stating he could "understand" the decision and that he wasn't "super angry or disappointed" at being overlooked. That professional attitude has now been rewarded with his unexpected promotion.

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Racing Bulls, offered high praise for the departing driver: "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."

Development Focus for Red Bull

Horner highlighted that Tsunoda's experience will be crucial as the team works to improve their current package: "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."

The switch comes at a critical time for Red Bull as they find themselves in an increasingly competitive battle with rivals. The team's strategy clearly prioritizes maximizing points in both championships, with Horner noting: "You have to have two cars scoring."

For Lawson, the move represents a chance to rebuild confidence in a familiar environment. "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," Horner explained.

Racing Bulls appears equally optimistic about welcoming back Lawson, with Mekies stating: "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."

As the F1® circus heads to Suzuka next weekend, all eyes will be on Tsunoda as he steps into the pressure cooker environment of a top team at his home race – a fairy tale opportunity that could define his career in the sport.

The Japanese Grand Prix takes place at the legendary Suzuka Circuit on April 4-6, where fans will witness the next chapter in this rapidly evolving story unfold.