LIAM LAWSON has been brutally axed from Red Bull after two horror drives.
Red Bull have announced that Yuki Tsunoda will replace Lawson in their senior racing squad.
Lawson, 23, has been dumped by Red Bull chiefs after failing to get to grips with the RB21 during the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix.
He crashed out of the Aussie GP and could only muster a 15th-place finish in Shanghai, displays which have ultimately led to Red Bull wielding the axe.
And the decision will have irked his team-mate Max Verstappen, who reportedly was “not happy” after learning of Red Bull’s plans.
An excerpt of a Red Bull statement read: “Red Bull are in the unique position of having four seats on the Formula One grid, across Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
“And as such, the Team have made the decision to exercise a driver rotation, that will see Yuki partner current and four-time World Champion, Max Verstappen.”
Tsunoda – who earns nearly double Lawson’s £800,000 salary – will be given a baptism of fire on home soil as he’ll officially replace Lawson at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The decision to replace Lawson wasn’t an easy one for Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner to make.
He said: “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.
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“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.”
Horner is hoping 24-year-old Tsunoda’s experience will help with the team’s developing of the RB21.
He added: “We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car.
“We welcome him to the Team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21.”
The demoted Lawson will now drop down to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, which Horner believes will be beneficial for his development as a driver.
He said: “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.”
Lawson’s axing comes just days after he gloated about getting the better of Tsunoda in F3.
He told The Telegraph: “If I look back over our careers, I was team mates with him in F3 and I beat him.
“In Euroformula I was team mates with him, [and] in New Zealand, and I beat him there.
“Then in F1 last season I think honestly, if I look at all the times he got promoted instead of me in those early years, then no.
“He’s had his time. Now it’s my time.”
Lawson’s girlfriend – Hannah St. John – will no doubt be consoling him following his demotion.
The couple have been together for two years and have looked the picture of happiness every time they’ve been on the paddock with one another.
Defending champion F1 champion and Red Bull superstar Verstappen has yet to win a race this season.
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He finished second to Brit star and McLaren standout Lando Norris in the Australian GP.
And the Dutchman could only muster a fourth-placed finish in the Chinese Grand Prix, which was won by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
