After being ejected from the Red Bull senior team seat just two races into the 2025 season, Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson said he’s excited to be back at the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
Red Bull confirmed on Thursday that Lawson would be replaced by Yuki Tsunoda for the Japanese Grand Prix, following the Kiwi’s poor start to the season.
Lawson struggled to handle the RB21 and found himself starting both the Australian and Chinese GP from the pit lane.
Now Lawson will race the Japanese circuit in the team he sat with last year, prior to replacing Sergio Perez. The 23-year-old said the demotion was tough but he is grateful for getting to this point in his career.
“Being a Red Bull Racing driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it’s what I’ve worked towards my whole life. It’s tough, but I'm grateful for everything that’s brought me to this point. To every one of you who’s stood by me, thank you for all the support. It means the world.
“Thank you Visa Cash App RB for the warm welcome, I’m excited and ready to go to work at one of my favourite places,” Lawson wrote on his Instagram.
Red Bull were left between a rock and a hard place when it came to Lawson’s fate behind the wheel in the senior team, resting their hopes in him to deliver championship points and back up Max Verstappen for the Constructor and Driver title.
But two races in, Lawson failed to put a point on the board while Tsunoda racked up three points in two races with the junior team and is 13th overall on Driver Standings. Tsunoda has proven to be miles ahead of his teammate Isack Hadjar, but the Japanese driver is no stranger to F1.
Yesterday, Red Bull CEO Christian Horner said Tsunoda’s experience will be vital for their title hopes, while maintaining that they had a duty to care for and develop Lawson.
“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.
“We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers' Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors' title and this is a purely sporting decision.
"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 so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well,” Horner said.