Sources have confirmed to ESPN that Yuki Tsunoda is set to replace Liam Lawson at Red Bull for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
This surprising driver 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 just four races. Lawson had recently taken over Sergio Perez`s seat.
Lawson will return to Racing Bulls, Red Bull`s junior team.
This move positions Tsunoda, who has received significant career support from Honda, Red Bull`s former engine partner, for a sensational debut with the main team at his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix.
While Red Bull is known for making tough decisions regarding drivers, this one is considered particularly abrupt.
ESPN sources indicate that Lawson`s poor performance at the start of the season prompted this swift action. The New Zealander qualified 18th in Australia and then crashed out in a rain-affected race, while Verstappen reached the podium. In China, Lawson qualified last for both the sprint and the grand prix, finishing outside the points in both races.
The decision was formally reached in a meeting earlier this week. Sources also told ESPN that Lawson was aware of the likely outcome when he departed the Shanghai International Circuit last Sunday.
Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, who was initially not in favor of promoting Tsunoda, has reportedly been impressed by the Japanese driver`s strong performance at the beginning of this season.
Tsunoda has shown good pace in both races so far, only missing out on points due to strategic errors by the Racing Bulls team.
Many within Formula 1 have suggested that Tsunoda, who has been part of Red Bull`s junior program since 2021, should have been given the Red Bull seat instead of Lawson at the start of this year.
Lawson is officially classified as a rookie this season, having only participated in 11 race starts across two previous seasons before 2025.
He is set to rejoin Isack Hadjar, another rookie, at his previous team.
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood