Two racing drivers, one in black and white with a racing suit and helmet in hand, and the other in color with sunglasses and a white cap with the number 22. — Lawson returns to RB and Tsunoda moves up to Red Bull | La Derecha Diario

Camara — Lawson returns to RB and Tsunoda moves up to Red Bull | La Derecha Diario

Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda will switch places and Colapinto will stay at Alpine.

The Austrian team finally made the driver change official, and it will take effect starting from the Japanese GP. Meanwhile, Franco Colapinto will not move from Alpine

27/03/2025 09:19:00h

Editorial Team

The start of the year for Liam Lawson at Red Bull was not as expected, marking the worst start for a driver within the Austrian team. In light of this situation, Red Bull's management decided that Yuki Tsunoda, until now with Racing Bulls, will take his place in the next Japanese Grand Prix, demoting Lawson to the second team.

After only two races, the energy drink team chose to demote Lawson to Racing Bulls. In the Australian Grand Prix, the New Zealander qualified in 18th place and did not finish the Sunday race. The following week, in China, he finished last in the Sprint Qualifying, crossed the finish line in 14th position in the Sprint race, was 20th in Saturday's Qualifying, and ended in 12th place in the race, benefiting from the disqualifications of Ferrari's Leclerc and Hamilton, and Pierre Gasly from Alpine.

Two race car drivers in Red Bull uniforms, one in a white suit and the other in a black suit and cap.

Tsunoda will take Lawson's place at Red Bull | La Derecha Diario

Lawson's poor performance sparked a wave of criticism and mockery on social media. In contrast, Tsunoda excelled at Racing Bulls, especially in the qualifying sessions, earning him the public support of Helmut Marko, the team's advisor, who praised his progress.

This opportunity for Tsunoda comes after some tense episodes with very popular drivers, such as Sergio Checo Pérez, to whom he made an obscene gesture during a race before taking his place at Red Bull, and the Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who called him an idiot during the United States Grand Prix in Austin last year.

Thus, after four seasons in the B team and with performances that sometimes surpassed those of Red Bull's official drivers, Tsunoda will finally have the chance he has long awaited in the main team.

Meanwhile, rumors that Franco Colapinto might take the place left vacant by the Japanese were completely dismissed, as Lawson will return to Racing Bulls and will not be fired, as many suggested would happen.

A young man in a blue jacket drinks mate while walking down a busy street.

Colapinto doesn't move from Alpine | La Derecha Diario

Tsunoda's Career in Formula 1

The 24-year-old Japanese driver debuted in Formula 1 in 2021 with the Alpha Tauri team, now Racing Bulls. From his first race, he made a good impression, finishing ninth in the Bahrain Grand Prix and scoring two points. His best performance to date was a 4th place in the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, so now at Red Bull, he will seek to achieve his first podium.

A race car driver with headphones adjusting his ear in a garage setting.

After 4 years, Tsunoda was finally able to move up to Red Bull | La Derecha Diario

Regarding his time in the junior categories, Tsunoda finished ninth in Formula 3 in 2019 and third in Formula 2 in 2020, competing simultaneously against Liam Lawson.

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