Red Bull Racing has announced a driver swap between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, set to take effect at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. This decision follows Lawson’s challenging start to the season, leading the team to move him to Visa Cash App Racing Bulls while promoting Tsunoda to race alongside Max Verstappen.

Lawson, the 23-year-old New Zealander, struggled in the opening races, retiring from the Australian Grand Prix and finishing 15th in China. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, 24, brings four seasons of experience with VCARB, showing steady improvement. His promotion is seen as a strategic move to leverage his familiarity with the team’s operations and his proven experience. Earlier this year, he was not initially considered as a replacement for Sergio Perez, making this decision even more surprising.

Reportedly, Max Verstappen has expressed dissatisfaction with the swap, showing his support for Lawson. He believes two races are not enough to fully evaluate a driver’s potential. Despite this, Red Bull’s management remains focused on optimizing the team’s performance. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, acknowledged Verstappen’s concerns but emphasized the importance of having two competitive cars to support their championship goals.

Lawson has expressed disappointment but remains grateful for the opportunity to continue his development with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. This reassignment aims to provide him with a supportive environment to gain further experience and showcase his potential.

Red Bull has a history of mid-season driver changes, and this latest move is no exception. The team has made similar decisions in the past, as seen with Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon. This swap reflects their strategy to maximize performance, even though their current car is not the most competitive on the grid.

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