The dream has ended before it even began for Liam Lawson. After two disastrous race weekends in Formula 1, the New Zealander will be demoted to Racing Bulls (Red Bull’s B-team), with Yuki Tsunoda taking his place alongside Max Verstappen starting at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.
A Start to Forget
Despite driving one of the most competitive cars on the grid, Lawson failed to deliver:
- Australian GP: Started 18th and retired from the race.
- Chinese GP: Qualified last (20th) and finished a lowly 12th, scoring zero points.
With Red Bull’s high-pressure environment showing no mercy, the team has pulled the trigger on an immediate change—especially as Verstappen continues to dominate while the second seat remains problematic.
Tsunoda’s Redemption Arc
Yuki Tsunoda, who has shown steady improvement at Racing Bulls, gets a shock return to Red Bull after three years. The Japanese driver now has the perfect opportunity to shine at his home race in Suzuka.
What’s Next?
- Lawson at Racing Bulls: Must rebuild his reputation for another shot.
- Tsunoda vs. Verstappen: An intriguing dynamic that could surprise.
- No Room for Error: With Ferrari and McLaren closing in, Red Bull needs both drivers scoring points.
