The Chinese Grand Prix delivered another bruising chapter for Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, whose turbulent start to the 2025 season intensified scrutiny on the team’s contentious decision to promote him over Yuki Tsunoda. At Shanghai, Lawson qualified a dismal 20th – dead last – and salvaged only 12th in the race, compounding a wretched run that began in Australia (18th in qualifying, 15th in the race). These performances starkly contrast with Tsunoda’s flawless record at Racing Bulls, where the Japanese driver has outqualified and outraced Lawson at every round since their acrimonious 2024 rivalry.
Red Bull’s gamble to install Lawson as Sergio Pérez’s replacement now looms as a misstep. The pressure escalated post-race when Tsunoda, now a free agent after his Racing Bulls contract expired, bluntly affirmed he would “100%” accept a Red Bull seat if offered: “The Red Bull car is faster.” Even Max Verstappen offered a tepid defence of his struggling teammate, suggesting, “Liam would go faster in the Racing Bulls car. Our car is extremely difficult.” With Suzuka – and Tsunoda’s home crowd – looming on 6 April, Red Bull faces a pivotal choice: persist with Lawson or pivot to a proven quantity in Tsunoda.
Lawson’s woes trace back to Red Bull’s controversial 2024 call to draft him into Racing Bulls mid-season, sidelining Daniel Ricciardo and igniting a feud with Tsunoda. The Japanese driver, embittered by being overlooked for the senior team, has since outperformed Lawson at every turn, intensifying scrutiny on Christian Horner’s leadership. As Red Bull’s junior programme falters and rivals capitalise, Lawson’s F1 future hangs by a thread. Suzuka may decide it – but for Tsunoda, redemption now feels inevitable.
