According to PlanetF1, Liam Lawson is effectively out of the seat at Red Bull. He will be replaced by Japanese Yuki Tsunoda, who was otherwise not good enough for the team.
Liam Lawson is done with Red Bull.
At least that's what PlatnetF1.com thinks.
The sacking – or rather Lawson's demotion to junior keeper Racing Bulls – comes after just two games of the current season. But they have been two disappointing games for the New Zealander.
While Lawson will have to settle for a spot at Racing Bulls, PlanetF1 believes that Japanese Yuki Tsunoda, who Red Bull would otherwise not use, will take his place.
Yuki Tsunoda may have been initially dropped because the Japanese Honda is also moving away from the Red Bull camp and into the arms of Aston Martin, to which it will exclusively supply engines from 2026.
Should Tsunoda move up a step, it would not be the first time that such a change has come at the expense of another choir's demotion.
In 2016 and 2019, Daniil Kvyat and later Pierre Gasly were subjected to the same treatment. And although Max Verstappen, who is the Red Bull frontrunner, is known for crushing all his teammates' dreams, Tsunoda himself believes that 'he is one hundred percent ready'.
The decision to demote Lawson has reportedly already been made. It is said to have happened in a meeting between the Red Bull top brass and the Formula 1 team in Dubai.
