Red Bull Racing is officially on crisis alert after the Chinese Grand Prix, as the team convenes an emergency meeting to decide the future of struggling second driver Liam Lawson. With mounting pressure from within the paddock, rumors are intensifying that Yuki Tsunoda could be drafted in as early as the Japanese Grand Prix — a move that would mark a seismic shakeup in Red Bull’s 2025 campaign.
Lawson, who was promoted to the senior team following Sergio Pérez’s departure, has endured a nightmare start to his full-time Red Bull career. Despite the promise he showed during substitute stints in 2023, Lawson has yet to score a single championship point in 2025. His campaign has been riddled with setbacks — from a disastrous crash in Australia’s torrential rain to a painfully anonymous drive in Shanghai, where he finished outside the points while teammate Max Verstappen salvaged a P4 finish.
Red Bull insiders report that Helmut Marko is deeply concerned about Lawson’s performances. The motorsport advisor was quoted as saying: “We are worried, but we are not throwing in the towel just yet.” Still, the fact that an internal review has been triggered this early in the season speaks volumes about the mounting dissatisfaction.
Adding fuel to the fire, Verstappen has now broken his silence. After finishing fourth in China, the reigning world champion admitted Red Bull is facing serious struggles — not just with Lawson, but with the RB21 itself. “We have a lot of work to do,” Verstappen stated firmly. “We need to find performance quickly, and everyone in the team must step up.” While his comments were measured, the underlying message was clear: Verstappen needs a teammate who can contribute consistently to the fight against McLaren and Ferrari.
Enter Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver has impressed in 2025 with a string of strong performances at RB (formerly AlphaTauri), showcasing consistency, aggression, and improved maturity. His ties to Honda — set to reunite with Aston Martin in 2026 — make him an attractive candidate for Red Bull, especially with the Japanese Grand Prix just days away. A mid-season switch would send shockwaves through the paddock and could instantly reinvigorate Red Bull’s push in the Constructors’ Championship.
The stakes could not be higher. Red Bull is fighting to regain ground on McLaren and Ferrari, who have surged ahead in recent weeks. With seven sprint events still to come, the team cannot afford to waste points. The dilemma is brutal: do they gamble on Lawson rediscovering form under immense pressure, or do they pull the trigger and bring Tsunoda back under the Red Bull umbrella before it’s too late?
Fans and pundits alike are divided. Some argue Lawson deserves more time, while others believe Red Bull must act decisively to protect its championship fight. Whatever the decision, it will mark one of the biggest turning points of the 2025 season.
🔥 All eyes now turn to Suzuka. Will it be Liam Lawson’s last chance to prove himself, or will Yuki Tsunoda seize the spotlight in front of his home fans?
