Red Bull has confirmed the immediate demotion of Liam Lawson, replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

The decision follows just two races for Lawson in Red Bull’s senior team, with team principal Christian Horner citing struggles with the RB21 as the key reason for the change. Tsunoda, 24, will now partner Max Verstappen, while Lawson returns to Racing Bulls to race alongside rookie Isack Hadjar.

“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,” Horner said in a statement.

Lawson’s short stint ends after Two Races

Lawson’s performance in his brief spell at Red Bull fell below expectations. The New Zealander crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix after qualifying 18th and finished 12th in China, having originally crossed the line in 15th before benefiting from disqualifications.

Red Bull, currently third in the constructors’ standings behind McLaren and Mercedes, has faced growing concerns over its car’s performance. Verstappen, despite finishing second in Australia and fourth in China, has voiced frustrations over the RB21’s handling.

Red Bull’s ruthless decision-making

Red Bull has a history of swift driver changes, but Lawson’s demotion after just two races is unprecedented. The decision was made in Dubai, where Red Bull bosses, including chief shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, met to assess the team’s early-season struggles.

Lawson had been preferred over Tsunoda last year when Red Bull opted to replace Sergio Perez two seasons before his contract expired. At the time, the team doubted Tsunoda’s mental resilience alongside Verstappen, despite the Japanese driver’s three years of experience in F1.

With Red Bull’s competitiveness in decline—Verstappen won only twice in the final 14 races of 2024—the team has now turned back to Tsunoda in hopes that his experience can aid development.

“We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21, and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial,” Horner said.

Tsunoda’s Big Opportunity at Suzuka

Tsunoda’s promotion comes at a critical juncture. Honda, Red Bull’s engine partner, has been a strong supporter of his career, and his debut with the senior team will take place at Honda-owned Suzuka. With the manufacturer set to move to Aston Martin in 2026, Tsunoda’s future in F1 had been uncertain.

If he performs well, he could cement his place in Red Bull’s long-term plans, despite previous doubts about his potential. His early 2025 form has been promising, with a fifth-place qualifying in Australia and a ninth-place start in China, where he also secured a sixth-place finish in the sprint race.

What’s next for Lawson?

Lawson is expected to use his return to Racing Bulls as a chance to rebuild, much like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon did after their own Red Bull demotions. Both drivers eventually secured stable F1 careers with Alpine and Williams, respectively.

Red Bull insists that Lawson still has a future in F1. “We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam, and together we see that, after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly,” Horner said.

With Perez out of F1 and Red Bull’s driver lineup in constant flux, Lawson’s chances of a return to the senior team may not be over. However, his path back to the top will depend on his ability to impress in his second stint with Racing Bulls.