Red Bull Racing has officially announced that Liam Lawson will replace Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season, opting not to promote Yuki Tsunoda. 
Team Principal Christian Horner described the decision between Lawson and Tsunoda as “tight,” acknowledging both drivers’ impressive performances.
However, Red Bull ultimately chose Lawson, citing his consistent results and adaptability during his tenure with their junior team.
This decision has sparked debate within the F1 community. Former driver Johnny Herbert criticized the move, suggesting that Tsunoda’s “feistiness” and mentality would have been a better fit alongside Verstappen.
Additionally, some analysts believe that Tsunoda’s longer experience in F1 could have provided valuable insights to the main team.
Despite the decision, Red Bull has not ruled out future opportunities for Tsunoda, indicating that his career with the organization may continue to evolve.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Lawson to see how he adapts to the pressures of racing alongside a four-time World Champion and whether Red Bull’s strategic choice will yield the desired results.
