Red Bull demotes Liam Lawson to Racing Bulls after a disappointing start, replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda

Tsunoda’s first race as Verstappen’s teammate for Red Bull F1 will be at Suzuka, where he’ll compete in front of his home fans. This adds extra pressure to an already crucial moment in his career, and it remains to be seen whether Tsunoda will rise to the challenge or buckle under the expectations.

After a disastrous debut in Melbourne and a last-place qualifying finish in Shanghai, the New Zealander has faced mounting pressure. His poor performances left Red Bull team principal Christian Horner openly questioning whether Lawson should be pulled from the firing line.

“Liam is struggling with the car right now,” Horner admitted after the Chinese Grand Prix. “Confidence-wise, it’s tough for him. We’ve tried to make changes, but he’s had two really difficult weekends. The pressure is enormous in this business, and we need to support him.”

However, Red Bull’s idea of “support” has come in the form of a swift demotion. Tsunoda, a long-time Honda-backed driver, will step into the senior Red Bull seat just in time for his home race at Suzuka.

A Ruthless Red Bull Shake-Up

Lawson’s abrupt dismissal raises fresh questions about Red Bull’s management style. The 23-year-old was brought in to replace Sergio Perez, whose own Red Bull tenure was cut short just months after signing a new contract. Many had called for Tsunoda to get the promotion back then, but Red Bull opted for Lawson based on his strong performances with Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri).

Lawson, however, made no secret of his lack of sympathy for Tsunoda’s earlier snubs. In an exclusive interview last week, he bluntly dismissed the Japanese driver’s claims of being overlooked.

“Honestly? No,” Lawson said. “I was teammates with him in F3, and I beat him. In the Euro Formula, I beat him. Even in F1, I felt I earned my chance over him. He’s had his time—now it’s my time.”

Now, his time appears to have ended almost as quickly as it began.

Tsunoda’s Big Break—But Is He Ready?

While Tsunoda’s promotion is a major career moment, it also comes with enormous pressure. The Red Bull RB20 has proven notoriously difficult to handle, with Verstappen being the only driver able to consistently extract its potential.

Despite this, Tsunoda insists he is up for the challenge.

“A hundred per cent,” he said in Shanghai when asked about stepping up. “The Red Bull is a faster car, and I feel ready.”

His connections to Honda, Red Bull’s engine supplier, may have played a role in the decision. The move comes at a crucial time as Red Bull prepares for a new engine partnership in 2026 and wants to maintain strong ties with the Japanese manufacturer.

What’s Next for Lawson?

While Lawson will remain in the Red Bull system at Racing Bulls, his future is now highly uncertain. He joins a list of drivers—including Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly—who were unceremoniously dropped from Red Bull’s top team before getting a real chance to prove themselves.

Red Bull’s ruthlessness is well known in the F1 world, but dropping a driver just two races into a season is extreme, even by their standards. The move has already sent shockwaves through the paddock, with many questioning whether the team is making decisions too hastily.

Tsunoda’s first outing as Verstappen’s teammate will take place at Suzuka, where he will race in front of his home fans—an added layer of pressure in an already pivotal moment. Whether he thrives or crumbles under the weight of expectation remains to be seen.