Yuki Tsunoda to replace Liam Lawson at Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull confirm

Red Bull have long been renowned for the ruthlessness with which they handle their young driver programme, but even in that context dropping Lawson after two races is extraordinary.

Horner’s statement said: “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 Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well.”

Tsunoda’s debut for the senior team will come at his home race at Suzuka, a track that is owned by Japanese car company Honda, which is Red Bull’s engine partner and has long been a backer of the driver’s career.

He has been with Red Bull’s second team, previously called Alpha Tauri and RB, since making his F1 debut in 2021.

His promotion is an opportunity to secure his F1 career, at a time when his future in the sport was looking uncertain.

Honda is moving to Aston Martin for 2026 and there is no space for Tsunoda at that team.

If he can prove himself at Red Bull, he has the opportunity to show the team’s bosses that he should be considered as a future driver for their team despite their long scepticism over his ultimate potential.

Tsunoda has had a positive start to the 2025 season, qualifying fifth in Australia and ninth in China, where he finished sixth in the sprint race.

Lawson will be advised that his demotion is an opportunity for him to rebuild his career, in the same way as earlier Red Bull rejects Gasly and Alex Albon have done.

Gasly was demoted to the second Red Bull team after just half a season in 2019 in a swap with Albon, who was given a season and a half before being demoted to reserve driver in place of Perez.

Gasly has since moved to Alpine and Albon to Williams, and both have thrived.

Perez no longer has an F1 seat after being dropped at the end of last season with a pay-off worth many millions of dollars.