Tsunoda reveals Red Bull expectations after Lawson swap

Yuki Tsunoda has revealed the expectations Red Bull has set for his racing debut with the team in this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Tsunoda is swapping places with Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen from the Suzuka race after the New Zealander struggled in the opening two rounds of the 2025 F1 season.

The move, which has been widely criticised, will allow Tsunoda to finally get a seat he has been pushing for for several years, having driven for Red Bull’s sister team since the 2021 season.

After Lawson struggled at the back of the field both in Australia and China, Red Bull is hoping the change will result in a stronger line-up that sees Tsunoda be a better match for Verstappen.

The Japanese driver has said ahead of his home race that Red Bull team boss Christian Horner’s expectations is for him to be as close as possible to his new team-mate.

“First call I got was from Christian. I heard expectations from him, what he wants from myself and also what kind of team dynamics they’re having,” Tsunoda told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“Basically he said, ‘Welcome to Red Bull Racing’ and he was excited.”

Asked about the expectations that Horner set for him, Tsunoda said: “Be close as much as possible to Max. Red Bull Racing [is] focused on Max to score a drivers’ championship.

“He proves himself enough to have good potential to be world champion even though Red Bull seems a little bit struggling now, but I’m sure they will develop the car.”