Red Bull Racing confirms Yuki Tsunoda as new teammate for Max Verstappen

Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda is the team's new driver, with Max Verstappen as his teammate from now on. Liam Lawson, who competed alongside Verstappen in two races in 2025, will be replaced after his poor results.

Change in the Red Bull Racing team

Red Bull Racing heads to the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuki, which takes place from 4 to 6 April, with a quite different line-up. Max Verstappen will have a new partner on the track; Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson, who had a difficult run in Australia and China.

After Sergio Perez's contract was terminated last season, Red Bull was looking for a new teammate for Verstappen. At the start of 2025, they were choosing between Tsunoda and Lawson, but Lawson was their first option. However, after just two races, the team decided that Tsunoda would take over.

This quick move by this team is not surprising, as they have previously changed drivers during the season, but deciding to make a change after just a few races surprised fans of the Austrian team.

Tsunoda, who has been in Formula 1 since 2021, will now get the chance to drive for this great team in his fifth season, and interestingly, it will be at the home race in Japan. This could be a great chance to show his skills, while sending a message to Red Bull leaders they made a mistake earlier.

Christian Horner reacts

Christian Horner, team principal, pointed out that it was difficult to watch Liam struggle in the first two races, and they had no hesitation in reversing this decision.

“It was difficult to see Liam struggling with the RB21 in the first two races and, as a result, we collectively made the decision to make an early switch. We entered the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the Drivers’ Championship and reclaim the Constructors’ title, and this is a purely sporting decision.”