Christian Horner Addresses Liam Lawson Replacement Rumors Ahead of Japanese Grand Prix

March 24, 2025 – Formula 1 News

Speculation has been swirling in the Formula 1 paddock as Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner responds to mounting rumors that Liam Lawson could be replaced before the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. After a rocky start to the 2025 season, Lawson's seat alongside Max Verstappen is under scrutiny, with whispers suggesting that Yuki Tsunoda may be waiting in the wings.

Why Liam Lawson Is Under Pressure at Red Bull

Liam Lawson, who earned a coveted Red Bull Racing seat for the 2025 season following impressive reserve duties, has had a difficult opening to the campaign. In Australia, he failed to finish the race after a late crash, and in China, he qualified at the back of the grid for both the sprint and the main race—finishing 14th and 12th respectively, with no points from two rounds.

This underwhelming performance, especially when compared to his more experienced teammate Verstappen, has triggered intense speculation that Red Bull may not wait much longer to make a change.

Christian Horner Speaks Out on the Rumors

Amid the growing speculation, Christian Horner publicly addressed the situation, emphasizing the team’s desire to support Lawson rather than jump to a quick decision.

“I think Liam's had a tough couple of races, a tough weekend here,” Horner said after the Chinese Grand Prix. “We'll have a good look at it, and as a group, we'll do our best to support him.”
– Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal

While Horner didn’t directly rule out the possibility of a future switch, he made it clear that any decision would come after a full internal assessment and not in response to external pressure or short-term results.

Yuki Tsunoda in the Frame?

With Yuki Tsunoda continuing to impress at Racing Bulls (Red Bull’s sister team), many believe the Japanese driver is the logical choice should Red Bull opt to make a change. Tsunoda has shown consistency and maturity in early 2025 performances, and the timing—just ahead of his home Grand Prix in Japan—adds fuel to the speculation.

Some outlets have even reported that internal meetings at Red Bull have discussed the possibility of promoting Tsunoda if Lawson’s form doesn’t improve quickly.

However, it's worth noting that Tsunoda was recently pulled away mid-interview by Red Bull PR staff after being asked about a potential switch—adding even more intrigue to the ongoing narrative.

Media Buzz and Crisis Talks

• Sky Sports, The Sun, and 1News NZ have all reported that Red Bull is “considering their options” regarding the second seat.
  
  

• Some sources describe the internal discussions as "crisis meetings" over Lawson's performance, hinting at the cutthroat nature of Red Bull’s driver development strategy.
  
  

• Yet, insiders suggest that Red Bull is hesitant to make a knee-jerk reaction just two races into the season.
  
  

What’s Next: Japanese Grand Prix Looms Large

The Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for next weekend, is being billed as a critical moment for Lawson. With Tsunoda racing on home soil and Red Bull facing mounting pressure to maintain dominance, the race could serve as a key turning point in the team’s decision-making.

If Lawson shows improvement, he may solidify his position—at least in the short term. But another disappointing outing could open the door for a swift driver swap.

Final Thoughts

Red Bull’s driver philosophy has always been ruthlessly performance-based, and history shows that they are not afraid to make mid-season changes. While Horner has shown public support for Liam Lawson, the next race or two may ultimately decide his future with the team.