Red Bull Racing have officially announced that Yuki Tsunoda will swap seats with Liam Lawson ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Tsunoda is promoted to the Red Bull seat alongside four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, with his debut for his team coming at his home race at the Suzuka Circuit next weekend (4th-6th April).
The 24-year-old Japanese driver has been with Red Bull's sister team, Racing Bulls, since 2021 and has demonstrated consistent progression and development.
For Lawson, it brings to a (potentially temporary) end to his time with the main team after a stunningly difficult start, seeing him fail to get out of Q1 across three qualifying sessions and his highest finish (P12 in China) coming as a result of three disqualifications.
There will be plenty of pressure on Tsunoda to perform in place of the New Zealander, but it is hoped that his experience at the top level can help the team's development of the car and see Red Bull achieve more points across both cars.
Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner said: "It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and, as a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch."
"We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the World Drivers' Championship and to reclaim the World Constructors' title and this is a purely sporting decision."
He added: "We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki's experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car. We welcome him to the Team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21."
He concluded: "We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, an environment and a Team he knows very well."
Team Principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, also commented: "We're incredibly proud of Yuki earning his well-deserved move to Oracle Red Bull Racing!"
"His progress last year, and more recently from the very start of 2025, has been nothing less than sensational. Personally, and collectively, it has been an immense privilege to witness those progresses for all of us in Faenza and in Milton Keynes."
He added: "Yuki's energy and positivity has lightened up every corner of our factories and of our garage and he will always be a Racing Bull! We wish him all the success he deserves at ORBR."
"Everyone here at VCARB is looking forward to working hard with Liam to give him the best environment possible for him to shine in our car and to express the talent we all know he has."
He concluded: "He fit in so well last year, and we cannot wait to challenge ourselves and grow as a Team. With Isack having started strongly with us already, we know we have a young and strong lineup."
