Tsunoda to replace Lawson, Checo's replacement at Red Bull: report

Liam Lawson will step down as Red Bull driver, as soon as before the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, and his place will be taken by Yuki Tsunoda, who until the Chinese GP was driving for sister team Racing Bulls, according to a report by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

Liam Lawson had replaced Mexican driver Sergio 'Checo' Perez at Red Bull from the 2025 season, which has only two dates out of 24 and in which his results have been catastrophic, with zero points, one retirement and qualifying in 18th, 20th and 20th places, in two GP's and one Sprint.

The report signed by F1 reporter Erik van Haren, who follows the entire season and a very close insider of the Verstappen family, says that the decision was made on Tuesday at a meeting held in Dubai, Red Bull executives with majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, who lives in that Emirate.

According to the note, the change was defined over the weekend in China and ratified at the Red Bull summit.

It is also mentioned that Honda, a company that has always supported Tsunoda, was involved in the deal and that makes the change financially attractive for Red Bull.

“Red Bull is expected to officially announce the controversial and historically quick turnaround later this week,” the release said.