S Poddar
After Red Bull team boss Christian Horner refused to rule out speculations that Yuki Tsunoda would be used to replace Liam Lawson for the next Japanese Grand Prix, the Formula 1 paddock became abuzz with speculation.
Lawson and Max Verstappen’s inaugural season as a team has not been good. The New Zealander crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix and was last in both qualifying sessions for the Chinese Grand Prix after a poor start to the first two races. His form has been under scrutiny, which has sparked speculation about his short-term future with Red Bull.
Admitting the reality, Lawson conceded he has little time left to reverse fortunes. Rumors after the Chinese Grand Prix indicated Red Bull is considering a shocking driver switch before the Japan race, with Racing Bulls’ Tsunoda emerging as a strong favorite to replace Lawson.
In a post-race media conference, Horner was specifically asked about the likelihood of an early-season driver change at Red Bull. His answer, while not ruling out the speculation, did little to dampen the current speculation. The failure to rule it out has only encouraged more debate on a possible mid-season shake-up.
Turbulence at Red Bull and a Possible Shake-Up
For Red Bull, the possibility of switching drivers this early in the season is rare but not new. The team has had a history of mid-season driver swaps, having changed drivers previously when there were unfulfilled expectations. Lawson, who joined the team with great expectations, now faces increasing pressure to perform before a decision is reached.
Tsunoda, on the other hand, has impressed at Racing Bulls, previously AlphaTauri. His performances have not gone unnoticed by Red Bull’s management, and with the Japanese Grand Prix looming, a home race debut for Tsunoda in a Red Bull cockpit would be a good story. His experience with Honda, Red Bull’s engine partner, and his increasing maturity as a driver lend weight to the speculation.
McLaren’s Increasing Tension with Norris and Piastri
Elsewhere in the paddock, McLaren is also struggling with its own internal conflicts. Lando Norris has conceded that the team is a little nervous about the possibility of a head-to-head championship battle between himself and teammate Oscar Piastri. With both drivers having won one of the first two races, McLaren finds itself in a rare but promising position—leading the pack early in the season.
For McLaren, balancing two competitive drivers fighting for a championship is a fine balancing act. The team last produced a world champion in 2008 when Lewis Hamilton won his first title. Both Norris and Piastri being in good form, internal tensions may develop as the season wears on. The team said that its drivers are welcome to race one another, but the past has already proven that those situations tend to result in fireworks on and off the track.
Fallout from the Chinese Grand Prix
The latest Grand Prix in Shanghai proved to be a chaotic affair. In a stunning turn of events, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were both disqualified post-race, a decision that sent shockwaves through the grid. Ferrari’s dismal weekend was compounded by this setback, raising questions about the team’s ability to challenge for the title this season.
While drivers and teams redefine their plans, the disqualifications also served a significant impact on the points standings and overturned the championship contest. The season in 2025 promises to be one of the most sensational in history with mysterious drivers and unexpected finishes.
Everyone’s eyes will be on what Red Bull does next as the Formula One circus heads for Japan. Will Tsunoda capitalize or will Lawson be given more space to stake his claim? The rest of the season’s lineup for the team could be largely determined in the coming days.
