Max Verstappen Unhappy as Yuki Tsunoda Poised to Replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull for Japanese Grand Prix
The Formula 1 paddock has been shaken by reports that Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda is set to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. While this potential driver swap has sparked significant debate, it has also reportedly left three-time world champion Max Verstappen dissatisfied with the situation.
Red Bull’s Controversial Driver Selection Sparks Debate
At the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Red Bull made a bold decision to promote Liam Lawson to their senior team alongside Verstappen, despite Tsunoda’s greater experience in the sport. The move raised eyebrows, as Tsunoda had been widely regarded as a strong candidate for a Red Bull seat after consistently delivering solid performances with the team’s junior outfit, Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri).
Lawson, who has only 11 Grand Prix starts under his belt—spanning across the 2023 and 2024 seasons—was chosen to replace Sergio Perez. Meanwhile, Tsunoda remained at Racing Bulls, despite being seen as a rising star in the sport.
However, Red Bull’s faith in the young Kiwi driver has yet to be justified. Lawson has struggled in his opening races for Red Bull, failing to score points so far this season. He endured a disastrous start at the Australian Grand Prix, crashing out of the race, and then could only manage a 12th-place finish in China.
In contrast, Tsunoda has continued to impress with Racing Bulls, leading to speculation that he is on the verge of earning a long-awaited promotion to Red Bull’s main team. A report from F1 Insider now suggests that Red Bull plans to swap Tsunoda and Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix, which would see the Japanese driver make his debut for Red Bull in front of his home crowd at Suzuka.
Verstappen Reportedly Unhappy With the Situation
While Verstappen’s concerns are not directly related to Tsunoda’s potential promotion, he is reportedly displeased with the handling of the situation by Red Bull. The Dutchman believes the team’s engineers should focus on developing a car that can be driven competitively by more than just himself, rather than simply making driver swaps.
Additionally, Verstappen is said to be worried about the impact that an early demotion could have on Lawson’s career. A sudden removal from the Red Bull seat after just a handful of races could damage the 23-year-old’s confidence and long-term prospects in the sport.
Sky Sports has backed up the reports, confirming that Red Bull is “seriously considering” the swap ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. F1 pundit Ralf Schumacher has also weighed in on the situation, describing Red Bull’s handling of the matter as “chaotic” and “poorly managed.”
F1 Pundits Criticize Red Bull’s Handling of Driver Swap
Speaking to Sky Sports, Schumacher expressed his disapproval of Red Bull’s approach, stating:
“Liam Lawson is already out for the next race. Tsunoda will replace him. It’s not fully confirmed yet, but that’s how it looks.”
The former F1 driver was particularly critical of the decision to destabilize Racing Bulls by moving Tsunoda mid-season, arguing that the team had been making steady progress with both of their current drivers.
“I don’t understand it at all because it destabilizes the Racing Bulls team, which is finally in a good position with both drivers. Tsunoda is better, but still has no chance against Max [Verstappen].”
Schumacher also suggested that Lawson would be left in a difficult position, having to reintegrate into Racing Bulls after such a brief stint at Red Bull.
“Lawson goes back to the Racing Bulls now. He’ll have to rebuild himself there again. This is pure chaos at Red Bull.”
Christian Horner Defends Lawson Amid Struggles
Amid the growing speculation surrounding Lawson’s future, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has defended the young driver, acknowledging that he has faced a tough start but remains a talented prospect.
“I think Liam still has got potential, we’re just not realising that at the moment,” Horner said.
“The problem for him is, he’s had a couple of really tough weekends, he’s got all the media on his back. The pressure just naturally grows in this business, and I feel very sorry for him.”
Horner also emphasized that Red Bull remains committed to supporting Lawson, despite his lackluster results in the first few races of the season.
“He’s a young guy, we’ve got a duty to look after him and we’re going to do the best that we can to support him. Liam’s still a very capable driver. We know that, just for whatever reason, we’re not seeing him able to deliver that at the moment.”
What’s Next for Red Bull and Their Drivers?
As the Formula 1 circus heads towards the Japanese Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see whether they officially confirm the driver swap. While Tsunoda has undoubtedly earned the opportunity to race for Red Bull, the move would raise further questions about the stability of their driver lineup.
Moreover, Verstappen’s concerns suggest that Red Bull may have bigger issues to address than just their driver selection. If the reigning world champion believes the car is not competitive enough for anyone other than himself, it could indicate deeper structural or performance-related issues within the team.
For Lawson, the coming weeks will be crucial. If the swap goes ahead, he will have to reset his mindset and prove himself again at Racing Bulls. Meanwhile, Tsunoda will be under immense pressure to deliver results for Red Bull—especially in front of his home crowd at Suzuka.
With tensions rising inside the Red Bull camp, the decision to swap Tsunoda and Lawson could be the first of many dramatic moves as the team looks to refine its lineup for the rest of the season.
Max Verstappen ‘not happy’ with Yuki Tsunoda potentially replacing Liam Lawson at Red Bull for one reason
