Red Bull have announced that Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson at the senior Red Bull Racing squad from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards, with the 24-year-old getting the nod to replace Lawson following a difficult opening two races for the New Zealander. Lawson raced alongside Tsunoda in the latter stages of 2024 after replacing Daniel Ricciardo at the then-named RB team, and his performances were enough to earn him a promotion to Red Bull as Max Verstappen’s new team mate in 2025 following the exit of Sergio Perez. ANALYSIS: Why Red Bull decided swift action was needed as Tsunoda is promoted in place of Lawson However, Lawson struggled to get to grips with the RB21 during the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix weekends, crashing out in the former amid treacherous conditions before crossing the line in 15th in Shanghai, which later became 12th following the disqualifications of Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly ahead. Rumours quickly mounted that the 23-year-old could be replaced at the team as early as Round 3 in Japan, and now it has been confirmed that Tsunoda will fill Lawson’s seat when F1 returns to Suzuka on April 4-6 – with Lawson returning to the Racing Bulls squad alongside rookie Isack Hadjar.After making his debut for the then-named AlphaTauri squad back in 2021, Tsunoda has continued to develop as a driver across the years that have followed, the Japanese racer having outscored his recent team mates including Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo. The 2024 campaign was one that Tsunoda heralded as “one of my best” after scoring 30 of his team’s 46 points across the season. READ MORE: From rookie rage to an ‘outstanding’ all-rounder – Tsunoda’s rollercoaster ride to a Red Bull seat He went on to make his test debut for Red Bull at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi – but it was subsequently confirmed that Lawson rather than Tsunoda would replace Perez at the Milton Keynes-based outfit in 2025. Tsunoda – now in his fifth campaign in Formula