Yuki Tsunoda in at Red Bull as Liam Lawson demoted to Racing Bulls

Yuki Tsunoda will race for Red Bull from the Components 1 Japanese Grand Prix onwards, with Liam Lawson returning to Racing Bulls after a troublesome begin to 2025.

Lawson was promoted to the senior group having contested the ultimate six races of final yr for Racing Bulls as Daniel Ricciardo’s alternative. The Kiwi racer was most popular as Sergio Perez’s alternative regardless of Tsunoda having accomplished 4 seasons with the squad.

Having certified 18th within the season-opener Australia, Lawson was plum final in Shanghai qualifying for each the dash race and the grand prix.

He has began each of his grands prix for Pink Bull thus far from pitlane, with the 23-year-old rookie crashing out in tough circumstances in Melbourne and ending twelfth in China, benefitting from different automobiles having points in addition to a trio of disqualifications additional up the sector.

Instantly after the race, Pink Bull group principal Christian Horner was bombarded with questions over whether or not Tsunoda was being lined as much as exchange Lawson from his dwelling grand prix at Suzuka. On the time, Horner mentioned Pink Bull would look into the info gathered from Lawson’s automotive and analyse his efficiency. Now the choice has been taken to usher in Tsunoda.

Motorsport.com understands a key a part of the early name was to faucet into Tsunoda’s larger expertise to assist develop the RB21 alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen and that it was a gaggle choice somewhat than being Horner’s particular person selection.

“It has been troublesome to see Liam battle with the RB21 on the first two races and in consequence now we have collectively taken the choice to make an early change,” Horner mentioned.

“We got here into the 2025 season, with two ambitions, to retain the world drivers’ championship and to reclaim the world constructors’ title and this can be a purely sporting choice. We acknowledge there may be loads of work to be achieved with the RB21 and Yuki’s expertise will show extremely helpful in serving to to develop the present automotive. We welcome him to the group and are wanting ahead to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21.

“We’ve an obligation of care to guard and develop Liam and collectively, we see that after such a troublesome begin, it is sensible to behave rapidly so Liam can acquire expertise, as he continues his F1 profession with Visa Money App Racing Bulls, an surroundings and a group he is aware of very effectively.”

Whereas Tsunoda’s promotion had been extensively anticipated, it was unclear whether or not Lawson would return to Racing Bulls or be taken out of the firing line altogether.

Franco Colapinto, who raced for Williams for the second half of final season earlier than becoming a member of Alpine as a reserve driver for 2025, had been linked with the seat vacated by Tsunoda however in the end Lawson will get one other probability to indicate what he can do.

The highlight can be firmly on Tsunoda when he heads to Suzuka subsequent week and can be eager to enhance on his finest end in F1 thus far — fourth place in Abu Dhabi in his debut season of 2021.