His Red Bull racing career is seemingly over before it even started as it has been reported that Kiwi driver Liam Lawson will be dropped after two races.
De Telegraaf, the largest daily morning newspaper in the Netherlands, has reported that Lawson has “definitely’’ been sidelined from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards, with Yuki Tsunoda to be Max Verstappen’s new team-mate.
This comes after Lawson struggled immensely in his first complete Formula 1 season after retiring in race 1 in Melbourne, qualifying last and finishing 12th in China with the help of a couple of disqualifications.
It is understood that it will be a straight swap between Tsunoda and Lawson with Tsunoda promoted to Red Bull and Lawson demoted back down to the junior team Racing Bulls.
Lawson was promoted to the Red Bull team at the end of last year, replacing veteran driver Sergio Perez, who earned four podium finishes earlier in the season.
The 23-year-old has driven 11 grands prix for Racing Bulls and ultimately did enough to convince Red Bull to controversially promote him over Tsunoda into the senior side.
Reports have also indicated Honda, a major backer of Tsunoda’s career, which is set to cut ties with Red Bull at the end of this season, is prepared to pay millions to land the Japanese driver a seat alongside Max Verstappen.
While there has been no official confirmation from Red Bull themselves senior advisor Helmut Marko has been talking up Tsunoda after a series of impressive performances to open the 2025 campaign.
Team Boss Christian Horner also went on the record saying they will have a long hard look about what next steps to take.
Photo Credit: GP Fans
