Red Bull's Ruthless Move: Lawson Out, Tsunoda In
Well, this is a shocker in the world of Formula 1. Red Bull has made one of the most ruthless driver decisions in recent history, dropping Liam Lawson after just two races. Yes, you heard that right—two races! The young New Zealander is being replaced by Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
Now, let’s break this down. Red Bull is notorious for making cutthroat moves when it comes to their driver lineup, but even by their standards, this one is extraordinary. Lawson, just 23 years old, stepped into Red Bull’s top team this season after they decided to part ways with Sergio Perez. But after a rough start—qualifying 18th in Australia and crashing out in the rain, then finishing 12th in China—his stint with Red Bull has already come to an end. His performance deficit to his teammate, Max Verstappen, was an average of 0.88 seconds per lap. Not ideal, sure, but was it enough to justify a complete swap after only two races?
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The decision was reportedly made in Dubai by Red Bull’s top brass, including team principal Christian Horner. And while Red Bull hasn’t officially commented yet, it’s expected that this move will be confirmed later this week. Tsunoda, when asked if he’d take the opportunity, had no hesitation, saying, “Yeah, why not? Always. In Japan? Yeah, 100%. I mean, the car is faster.” Lawson, on the other hand, was more defiant, pointing out that he’s beaten Tsunoda in junior categories and even in F1.
This move raises serious questions about Red Bull’s management and decision-making. They chose Lawson over Tsunoda just a few months ago, believing he had stronger mental fortitude. But now, they’ve pulled the plug almost instantly. Verstappen himself reportedly believes this decision is a mistake, arguing that the real issue isn’t Lawson but rather the car itself. Red Bull’s 2025 model is struggling, ranking as the fourth-fastest car behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari. The balance problems that plagued them last season are still there, and even Verstappen has had difficulty competing at the front.
Historically, there have been some short-lived F1 stints, but Lawson’s exit ranks among the shortest. While he will return to Racing Bulls, it’s hard to see this as anything but a huge setback for his career. The decision feels reactionary, perhaps even panicky, as former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher put it. He criticized Red Bull for their impulsiveness, suggesting that a more structured, patient approach would be more beneficial.
Ultimately, this move leaves us wondering: Is Red Bull making the right call, or are they just trying to cover up deeper problems within their team? One thing is for sure—F1 is as unpredictable as ever, and this drama is far from over.
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