Red Bull shocks F1 fans by replacing Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda for Japanese Grand Prix amid disappointing start to the season in Japan

In a surprising and ruthless move, Red Bull has decided to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.

The decision has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 world, especially as Lawson was only recently given a chance to race for Red Bull.

The change follows a disappointing start to the season for Lawson, who failed to score any points in his first two races after stepping in for Sergio Perez.

Verstappen’s Discontent with the Move

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s key advisor, has acknowledged that Max Verstappen is “not happy” with the axing of his teammate.

Verstappen, the reigning four-time world champion, expressed his displeasure by liking an Instagram post that criticized the decision as “bullying.”

Despite Verstappen’s objections, Marko is confident that the team’s decision is the right one for the future of Red Bull’s championship goals.

The Bigger Picture for Red Bull and Verstappen

Marko explained that while they understand Verstappen’s frustration, the decision was made to improve Red Bull’s performance across both cars.

“We need two strong cars at the front,” Marko said, emphasizing that this will not only benefit the team’s chances in the constructors’ championship but will also increase Verstappen’s likelihood of winning a fifth world title.

Marko firmly believes that Tsunoda’s experience and current form will contribute significantly to the team’s overall success.

Tsunoda’s Role and Expectations Moving Forward

Tsunoda’s promotion has come with high expectations, and Red Bull is banking on him to deliver.

Marko pointed out that Tsunoda has already shown the ability to outperform many experienced drivers, particularly in qualifying.

“We will see next week,” Marko said, alluding to Tsunoda’s ability to prove the team made the right choice.

Lawson, on the other hand, has been moved to Red Bull’s feeder team, Racing Bulls, where he will have the chance to bounce back.

Lawson’s Heartfelt Message After the Demotion

Liam Lawson took to Instagram to address his demotion in a heartfelt post.

He expressed his lifelong dream of being a Red Bull Racing driver, noting the emotional difficulty of the change.

Lawson thanked his supporters and expressed gratitude for the opportunity, despite the setback.

“It’s tough, but I’m grateful for everything that’s brought me to this point,” he wrote, also acknowledging his new role with Racing Bulls.