Red Bull’s Shocking Driver Swap: Liam Lawson’s F1 Future Hangs in the Balance
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, Red Bull has dropped Liam Lawson after just two races in the 2025 season, replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda in a decision that’s sparked fierce debate. The Kiwi driver, once hailed as a rising star in the Austrian team’s ranks, now faces an uncertain future following a brutal demotion that echoes the fates of predecessors like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon. But is this the end of Lawson’s Red Bull story, or could it be the reboot he needs to prove his worth? As the team doubles down on Tsunoda through 2025, the stakes have never been higher for both drivers—and Red Bull’s championship ambitions.
Lawson’s swift exit came after a torrid start to the season. Handed the coveted second seat alongside Max Verstappen, he struggled to adapt to the notoriously tricky RB21 car, finishing dead last in qualifying at both Australia and China. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, didn’t mince words, noting that Lawson’s confidence “steadily diminished” after a shaky debut. “He couldn’t recover from the first punch in Australia,” Marko said, likening Lawson’s spiral to a boxer floored early in a fight. With Red Bull trailing McLaren by 42 points in the constructors’ standings, the team acted decisively, opting for Tsunoda’s experience over Lawson’s unfulfilled potential. The Japanese driver, set to debut for Red Bull at his home Grand Prix in Suzuka, now has a golden opportunity to become the first Japanese podium finisher there since Kamui Kobayashi in 2012.
The decision hasn’t been without controversy. Lawson’s backer, Tony Quinn, a key sponsor in his F1 journey, sees the swap as a silver lining. “I actually think it’ll be good for him,” Quinn argued, suggesting that outperforming Tsunoda from Racing Bulls could expose flaws in Red Bull’s car rather than the driver. It’s a bold take, especially given Marko’s admission that the RB21’s narrow operating window—coupled with a 2-3 tenths deficit to the leaders—stymied even Sergio Perez in 2024. Lawson’s demotion to the more familiar Racing Bulls squad offers a chance to regroup, but history isn’t kind: neither Gasly nor Albon returned to Red Bull after their stints ended. Gasly thrived at Alpine, while Albon revitalized his career at Williams—proof that a Red Bull exit isn’t a death knell, but a comeback seems improbable with Arvid Lindblad, a promising F2 talent, eyeing a 2026 seat.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, steps into the spotlight under intense scrutiny. Christian Horner has made it clear: support Verstappen’s title bid and bolster the constructors’ fight. “He told me directly—Max is the priority,” Tsunoda revealed, acknowledging the challenge of racing alongside a four-time champion. Yet, the swap has strained his once-close friendship with Lawson, a bond forged in junior categories. “It’s not the same anymore,” Tsunoda admitted, a candid reflection of the sport’s cutthroat nature. Should he falter, Red Bull’s revolving door could spin again, with Lawson waiting in the wings—or seeking a fresh start elsewhere.
Verstappen, for his part, isn’t thrilled. Sources suggest he urged Red Bull to prioritize car development over driver changes, a sentiment Marko brushed aside in favor of Tsunoda’s “experience and form.” As the Dutchman chases a fifth title, the team’s gamble could either stabilize their campaign or deepen the chaos. For Lawson, the road ahead is daunting but not hopeless. A strong showing at Racing Bulls could reignite his F1 dreams—perhaps beyond Red Bull’s toxic orbit. Where could he land? Teams like Haas or Sauber might beckon if he proves the car, not the driver, was the issue. The F1 world watches eagerly: will Lawson sink or swim?
