Red Bull on verge of most brutal sacking yet as replacement call set to be made

Red Bull have reportedly dropped Liam Lawson after just two races of the Formula One season.

The New Zealander has endured a dire start to the 2025 season, crashing out in Australia and finishing 16th at the Chinese Grand Prix, more than a minute behind teammate Max Verstappen.

Lawson was also eliminated from the Q1 in Melbourne and Shanghai, qualifying dead last for both the sprint and grand prix in Shanghai as he struggled to come to grips with the car.

Multiple publications including CanalPlusF1 and Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf are reporting Lawson will be demoted to the junior Racing Bulls team with Yuki Tsunoda to take his place at Red Bull at next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

De Telegraaf reports a high-level meeting took place in Dubai, where Red Bull’s major shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya lives.

Engine supplier Honda is also involved in the deal, and are understood to pay Red Bull an annual eight-figure sum to keep Tsunoda in the team until its contract ends at the end of the 2025 F1 season.

Red Bull is yet to confirm the move to swap Lawson and Tsunoda but an official statement is expected later this week.

Lawson’s off-season promotion to Red Bull was seen as somewhat of a surprise at the time, given Tsunoda, 24, had served a four-year apprenticeship at Red Bull’s junior team.

But the Japanese driver’s patience has paid off, and he will finally get a chance to drive for Red Bull next weekend, at his home race at the Suzuka Circuit on April 6.

F1 writer Daniel Valente wrote on X: “Why did Red Bull go with the more inexperienced driver (Lawson) to begin with knowing he had only 11 GPs prior, no experience at the first 2 tracks & would likely be driving a difficult RB21?

“This whole saga has looked worse on the decision making than it has Lawson.”

There had been talk Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto could have been parachuted into Red Bull, but the team has decided to replace Lawson from within.

Sacking Lawson after just two races would undoubtedly be one of the most savage axings in F1 history, especially given the team allowed Sergio Perez to see out the season last year.

Red Bull bosses Helmut Marko and Christian Horner struck an urgent tone after the races in Melbourne and China, making it clear Lawson didn’t have much time left to prove himself.

“We will study all the data and do our best to support Liam. But we also need two drivers who score points,” Horner said.

Red Bull motorsport adviser Marko also confirmed the team was set to hold an emergency meeting to talk through the slow start to the season this week. He admitted the team is “worried” about Lawson.

When discussing Tsunoda’s impressive form to start the 2025 season, Marko was glowing with his remarks.

“Yuki is a different Yuki from the years before. He is in the form of his life. Obviously he changed his management. He has a different approach. He’s more mature. It took a while, but now it looks like it’s working,” Marko said to motorsport.com.

The internal team drama surrounding a potential driver swap went up another level when Tsunoda fronted cameras in the media paddock behind pit lane on Saturday.

The 24-year-old was asked if he would be happy to take Lawson’s seat if the offer presented itself.

“Yeah, why not? Always,” he responded.

He was asked about the potential of him bumping Lawson before his home Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in two weeks’ time.

He replied: “In Japan? Yeah, 100 per cent. I mean, the car is faster.”

Marko demonstrated his huge respect toward Tsunoda’s outstanding performance during the start of the 2025 season.

Yuki currently represents a different version of himself compared to his earlier years. His present form establishes him as at his top performance level. Obviously he changed his management. He has a different approach. He’s more mature. Motorsport.com quoted Marko as saying that a considerable amount of time elapsed until the approach began showing results.

Tsunoda stood in front of cameras during the media paddock session that took place behind pit lane on Saturday which marked a new high in the team’s driver switch-related internal struggles.

The reporter questioned whether Tsunoda would consider replacing Lawson if an opening emerged at AlphaTauri.

“Yeah, why not? Always,” he responded.

Teams asked him about having the opportunity to switch seats with Lawson before the Japanese Grand Prix which will take place in Suzuka Circuit during the following two weeks.

He replied: “In Japan? Yeah, 100 per cent. I mean, the car is faster.”