Lawson’s Red Bull Dream Teeters on the Edge After Horner’s Bombshell Post-Chinese GP

Shanghai, March 23, 2025 – Liam Lawson’s stint with Red Bull Racing could be the shortest in the team’s storied history, as the Kiwi driver faces the axe just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season. Following a calamitous Chinese Grand Prix weekend—where Lawson qualified dead last for both the Sprint and main race, finishing a lowly P15—team principal Christian Horner dropped a shocking hint that Lawson’s tenure might end as early as the Japanese Grand Prix. With Red Bull now holding urgent talks in Milton Keynes to address the gaping performance gap between Lawson and Max Verstappen, whispers of Yuki Tsunoda stepping into the breach are growing louder. Could this be the moment Tsunoda finally claims the Red Bull seat he’s long coveted, and if so, can he prove he’s the real deal?

Lawson’s fall from grace has been swift and brutal. Touted as a high-potential replacement for Sergio Perez, the 23-year-old was expected to at least keep Verstappen in sight, even if challenging the four-time world champion was a tall order. Instead, his P18 in Australia—followed by a crash—and a double P20 qualifying in China have left Red Bull reeling.

Helmut Marko, the team’s motorsport adviser, admitted the dire situation, stating, “There’s a meeting in Milton Keynes to discuss when and how we can close the gap. Until then, it’s about scoring as many points as possible.” Lawson himself conceded time is his “greatest enemy,” a sentiment Marko echoed ominously: “He’s right.” With Red Bull’s ruthless reputation for driver swaps, the clock is ticking.

Enter Yuki Tsunoda, the Racing Bulls star who’s been a thorn in Lawson’s side. Scoring vital points in China’s Sprint race and consistently outpacing Lawson in a slower car, Tsunoda’s resurgence has caught Marko’s eye. “Yuki’s in the form of his life,” Marko praised. “He’s changed his management, matured, and made a quantum leap this year.” Once known for fiery radio outbursts, the Japanese driver’s newfound composure and top-notch pace—P6 in the Sprint, P9 on the grid—make him a tantalizing option. When asked about a potential Red Bull switch as early as Japan, Tsunoda didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, why not? In Japan? 100%. The car’s faster.” His PR handler yanked him away mid-sentence, but the message was clear—he’s ready.

The RB21’s tricky nature isn’t helping Lawson’s case. Even Verstappen, who finished ahead of Ferrari but trailed McLaren and Mercedes, called it “extremely difficult” to drive, suggesting Lawson might fare better in the more forgiving Racing Bulls car. “The VCARB drivers are very close to me,” Verstappen noted. “Maybe that says something.” If Lawson’s struggles persist, Tsunoda’s promotion could be imminent—but will it last? Red Bull’s history of chewing up and spitting out second drivers looms large. Tsunoda’s past inconsistencies could resurface under the Milton Keynes spotlight, and a misstep might see yet another swap before 2025 ends.

As Red Bull weighs its options, the F1 world watches with bated breath. Is Tsunoda’s moment finally here, or will Lawson defy the odds? One thing’s certain: in Formula 1, performance is king, and Lawson’s crown is slipping fast.