Ahead of the Japanese GP, Red Bull has made a significant change to their driver line up, with Liam Lawson being moved back to the Racing Bulls team alongside rookie Isack Hadjar following a challenging start to his F1 season.
Why the swap took place
The decision comes after Lawson struggled to adapt to the RB21 car, experiencing difficulties that have raised concerns about his current performance. His recent race results, including a crash at the Australian Grand Prix and a 12th-place finish in China (P16 on the road) before the disqualifications and Jack Doohan’s penalty), have prompted the team to reconsider his position in the main Red Bull team.
The swap involves bringing Yuki Tsunoda up from Racing Bulls to the main Red Bull team, a move that carries additional significance as the Japanese Grand Prix approaches. Yuki Tsunoda, backed by Honda and with five seasons of F1 experience, will have a home advantage at Suzuka.
An opportunity for Liam Lawson to prove his worth in F1
This reshuffling provides Lawson with an opportunity to continue as a Formula 1 driver and to develop his skills at Racing Bulls, a team where he may find it easier to adjust and build back lost confidence. For Tsunoda, it represents a long-awaited chance to prove himself in Red Bull’s premier racing team.
Christian Horner:
“It has been difficult to see Liam [Lawson] struggle with the RB21 atthe 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.
“We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki [Tsunoda]’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car. We welcome him to the Team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21.
“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.”
Laurent Mekies:
“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.
“Personally, and collectively, it has been an immense privilege to witness those progresses for all of us in Faenza and in Milton Keynes. Yuki’s energy and positivity has lightened up every corner of our factories and of our garage and he will always be a Racing Bull! We wish him all the success he deserves at ORBR.
“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. He fit in so well last year, and we cannot wait to challenge ourselves and grow as a Team.
“With Isack [Hadjar] having started so strongly with us already, we know we have a young and strong lineup.”
