Liam Lawson AXED by Red Bull as official team statement issued… read more
Red Bull Confirms Liam Lawson’s Demotion, Yuki Tsunoda to Take Over
In a move that has been widely anticipated, Red Bull has officially announced that Liam Lawson will no longer drive for the team for the remainder of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 23-year-old New Zealander has been replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, who will take over the reins starting from the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend.
Lawson’s struggles at Red Bull have been well-documented, with the young driver failing to score a single point in the opening two races of the season. His difficulties in getting to grips with the nuances of driving the RB21 have been evident, and despite his best efforts, he has been unable to make a meaningful impact.
In an official statement, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged that Lawson’s struggles had made it difficult for the team to continue with him behind the wheel. “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,” Horner said.
Lawson’s demotion is a stark reminder of the challenges that drivers face when paired with the dominant Max Verstappen. The second Red Bull car has long been seen as a poisoned chalice, with a string of drivers, including Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and Daniel Ricciardo, struggling to compete alongside the Dutchman.
Tsunoda’s promotion to the senior Red Bull team raises questions about whether he can finally provide the solution to the team’s second-driver headache. While many have tried and failed to get close to Verstappen’s level, Tsunoda has been given the opportunity to prove himself, and the pressure will be on him to deliver.
The stakes are high, with Red Bull already 42 points adrift of McLaren after just two races. The team needs Tsunoda to start scoring serious points in the constructors’ championship, and the Japanese driver will be under intense scrutiny as he makes his senior Red Bull debut at Suzuka.
As Tsunoda prepares to take on the challenge, the question on everyone’s lips is: can he succeed where others have failed? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the pressure is on, and Tsunoda will need to be at the top of his game to make a meaningful impact.
