Red Bull is reportedly on the verge of making an early-season driver switch, with Yuki Tsunoda set to replace Liam Lawson ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The move comes after Lawson’s struggles in the opening two rounds of the 2025 Formula One season, where he failed to score any points in Australia and China. Tsunoda, currently driving for Racing Bulls, has had a stronger start and could join Max Verstappen at Red Bull for his home race in Suzuka.
Lawson was given the opportunity to race for Red Bull this season after Sergio Pérez’s departure, following a disappointing campaign in which the Mexican driver finished eighth in the 2024 drivers’ championship. Despite being preferred over Tsunoda for the second Red Bull seat, Lawson has found it difficult to extract performance from the car. Verstappen has acknowledged that this year’s Red Bull is particularly tricky to handle, and while he remains competitive currently sitting second in the standings behind McLaren’s Lando Norris Lawson has struggled to match expectations.
Tsunoda, on the other hand, has shown promise with Racing Bulls, securing three points by finishing sixth in the sprint race in Shanghai. His solid performances appear to have convinced Red Bull’s management that he is better suited to partner Verstappen. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner recently admitted that Lawson was facing difficulties but insisted the team would continue to support him. However, with the Japanese Grand Prix approaching, Red Bull seems inclined to make an early adjustment to their lineup.
Driver swaps are not unusual for Red Bull, a team known for its aggressive approach to mid-season changes. Verstappen’s teammates have frequently rotated over the years, with drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon previously making way for others when results were deemed unsatisfactory. Despite losing the constructors’ title to McLaren last season, Red Bull remains focused on maximizing their chances of reclaiming it, which may explain the urgency in reshuffling their driver lineup.
If the swap is confirmed, Lawson is expected to return to Racing Bulls, where he spent part of last season as a substitute for Daniel Ricciardo. He would partner Isack Hadjar, who finished ahead of him in 11th place at the Chinese Grand Prix. The move would give Lawson an opportunity to regain confidence and continue his development within Red Bull’s system while Tsunoda gets his long-awaited promotion.
With the Japanese Grand Prix next on the calendar, Red Bull appears eager to make the change before Tsunoda’s home race, allowing him to capitalize on the familiarity of Suzuka’s challenging circuit. Whether this move will provide the stability Red Bull seeks remains to be seen, but the decision underscores the intense pressure within the team to perform at the highest level.
