Red Bull's Driver Dilemma: Lawson's Struggles and Tsunoda's Potential Promotion
Red Bull Racing is reportedly considering replacing rookie driver Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, following Lawson's underwhelming performances in the opening races of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Lawson, who was promoted to Red Bull to partner Max Verstappen after Sergio Pérez's departure, has struggled to adapt to the team's demanding car setup. In Australia, he qualified 18th and crashed out during the race. In China, he qualified last for both the sprint and main race, finishing 14th and 12th respectively, benefiting from others' disqualifications.
The Red Bull car is tailored to Verstappen's driving style, featuring a sharp, responsive setup that is challenging for other drivers to handle. This has contributed to Lawson's lack of confidence and poor performance.
Yuki Tsunoda, currently racing for Red Bull's sister team, Racing Bulls, has shown impressive form and maturity. His potential promotion to the main team is under serious consideration, with Red Bull's motorsport adviser, Helmut Marko, praising Tsunoda's development.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has addressed the speculation, stating that while no decisions have been made, the team is evaluating Lawson's performance and potential changes.
An emergency meeting at Red Bull's Milton Keynes headquarters is planned to discuss the team's performance issues and Lawson's future.
The situation highlights the challenges of adapting to a car designed for a specific driving style and the high expectations within top-tier Formula 1 teams.
