Sources have confirmed to ESPN that Yuki Tsunoda will take over Liam Lawson`s seat at Red Bull for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
This surprising change, occurring only two races into Lawson`s tenure with the team, is expected to be officially announced later this week, pending final arrangements.
Tsunoda will become Max Verstappen`s third teammate in the last four races, as Lawson had recently stepped in for Sergio Perez.
Lawson will return to Racing Bulls, Red Bull`s junior team.
This move presents Tsunoda, heavily supported by Honda, Red Bull`s former engine partner, with a dream debut for the team at his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix.
While Red Bull is known for making tough driver decisions, this one is considered particularly abrupt.
ESPN sources indicate that Lawson`s poor performance triggered this swift action. Lawson qualified 18th in Australia and crashed out in a wet race where Verstappen reached the podium. In China, he qualified last for both the sprint and the main race, finishing outside the points in both.
The decision was formally made at the beginning of this week. Sources also revealed to ESPN that Lawson was already aware of the likely change when he left the Shanghai International Circuit last Sunday.
Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, who was initially hesitant about promoting Tsunoda, has reportedly been impressed by the Japanese driver`s strong performance early in the season.
Tsunoda has shown good pace in both races, only missing out on points due to strategic errors from the Racing Bulls team.
Many within Formula 1 believe Tsunoda, who has been part of Red Bull`s junior program since 2021, deserved the Red Bull seat over Lawson from the start of this year.
Lawson is officially classified as a rookie this season, having only participated in 11 races across two seasons before 2025.
He will rejoin Isack Hadjar, another rookie, at Racing Bulls.
Dominic Ashworth