Red Bull has a reputation for being notoriously tough with their young driver program, but even by their standards, dropping Lawson after just two races is quite a bold move.
In a statement, Horner explained the decision: “We feel it’s essential to look after Liam and help him grow. Given the challenging start, it seems logical to act swiftly, allowing Liam to gain valuable experience as he continues his F1 journey with Racing Bulls, a team he’s already familiar with.”
Meanwhile, Tsunoda is set to make his debut with the senior team at none other than his home race at Suzuka. This venue is owned by Honda, Red Bull’s engine partner, which has been a long-time supporter of Tsunoda’s career.
Tsunoda’s been part of Red Bull’s second team, once known as Alpha Tauri, since he first hit the F1 scene back in 2021. This promotion is crucial for his F1 future, especially with the clouds hovering over his career prospects lately.
With Honda planning to join forces with Aston Martin by 2026, there isn’t a spot for Tsunoda there. However, if he can make his mark at Red Bull, he might convince the team bosses to consider him for a permanent position despite their lingering doubts about his full potential.
Tsunoda’s kicked off the 2025 season on a high note, clinching fifth in the qualifying round in Australia and scoring ninth in China, where he bagged a commendable sixth in the sprint race.
Lawson, on the other hand, is being advised to view his demotion as a time to regroup and rebuild, much like Gasly and Alex Albon did before him. Back in 2019, Gasly was shifted to the second Red Bull team after just half a season in a swap deal with Albon. Albon managed to hold his spot for a season and a half before he was relegated to reserve driver status, switching places with Perez.
Both Gasly and Albon have since found greener pastures with Gasly moving to Alpine and Albon securing a spot at Williams, allowing them to thrive in their new environments.
As for Perez, he’s currently without an F1 seat, having been let go at the end of last season with a hefty multi-million dollar settlement.
