Red Bull axe Lawson, take Tsunoda in

Red Bull said yesterday that Liam Lawson has been axed and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, citing a lack of spectacular or compelling performances in the first two races of the F1 season.

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Tsunoda will take over from the New Zealander starting at his home Japanese Grand Prix next week at Suzuka, Red Bull said.

The 24-year-old Tsunoda moves up from the Racing Bulls (RB) sister team to partner four time world champion Max Verstappen, with Lawson moving back down to RB, where he was a season.

Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, said: “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.

“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 punch sporting decision.”