Red Bull's Controversial Driver Swap Stuns F1 Community

In what many are calling one of Formula 1's most ruthless moves in recent memory, Red Bull Racing has decided to drop rookie driver Liam Lawson after just two races into the 2025 season. The 23-year-old New Zealander will make way for Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, who returns to the senior team from Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri).

The Shock Decision

Insiders revealed the decision was made during high-level meetings in Dubai, attended by team principal Christian Horner and other Red Bull executives. While the team declined to comment officially, sources confirm the swap will take effect immediately, with Tsunoda taking Lawson's seat for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.

Lawson's Difficult Start

Lawson's brief stint with Red Bulls main team proved challenging:

• Qualified 18th in Australia before crashing out in wet conditions
• Started both sprint and main race from last position in China
• Finished 14th and 12th in the two Chinese races
• Averaged 0.88 seconds slower than teammate Max Verstappen in qualifying

The Tsunoda Factor

Tsunoda, who has raced for Red Bull's sister team since 2021, appeared ready for the promotion when questioned in China:

"Yeah, why not? Always. In Japan? Yeah, 100%. I mean, the car is faster."

Lawson responded tersely to Tsunoda's comments, referencing their past battles in junior categories and F1.

Behind Red Bull's Thinking

The move comes after:

• Sergio Perez's expensive early contract termination
• Lawson's preferred over Tsunoda due to perceived mental fortitude
• Pressure from Verstappen about the car's performance issues

Insiders suggest Verstappen believes the RB20's problems – ranking it as the fourth fastest car currently – contributed more to Lawson's struggles than driver ability.

Historical Context of Short F1 Stints

Lawson joins an infamous group of drivers with brief tenures:

• Nyck de Vries (10 races in 2023)
• Yuji Ide (4 races in 2006, lost super license)
• Karun Chandhok (11 races in 2010)

The decision raises serious questions about Red Bull's youth development strategy and whether they gave Lawson sufficient time to adapt to the demanding role alongside a reigning world champion.

What Next for Lawson?

While demoted to Racing Bulls, Lawson remains in the Red Bull system:

• Showed promise with points finishes in 2023
• Outqualified Tsunoda twice in their previous encounters
• Still seen as a potential future star

The Japanese Grand Prix will now become a crucial test for both Lawson's resilience and Tsunoda's readiness for the top team.