F1 Season Review: Liam Lawson Makes a Compelling Case to Replace Yuki Tsunoda in 2025
As the dust settles on the 2024 Formula 1 season, one name is ringing louder than expected in the Red Bull paddock—Liam Lawson. The young New Zealander has quietly, but convincingly, built a case to take over Yuki Tsunoda’s seat at RB (formerly AlphaTauri) for 2025. And the timing couldn’t be better.
A Substitute Who Turned Heads
Lawson was called up as a reserve in 2023 when Daniel Ricciardo suffered a hand injury. What was meant to be a stopgap appearance turned into a breakout performance. Calm under pressure, fast out of the box, and mature in his racecraft, Lawson impressed team bosses and fans alike.
He scored points in Singapore—a notoriously demanding circuit—and consistently kept pace with more experienced drivers. Though he stepped aside when Ricciardo returned, his time in the spotlight left a lasting impression.
2024: Biding His Time, Sharpening His Skills
While Lawson didn’t have a race seat in 2024, he remained deeply embedded within the Red Bull driver ecosystem. As a test and reserve driver, he worked behind the scenes at both Red Bull Racing and RB, participating in simulator sessions, debriefs, and track testing.
Insiders note that his feedback was often praised for its clarity and insight—qualities highly valued in development and race strategy. While Tsunoda showed flashes of brilliance throughout the season, inconsistency and emotional radio outbursts once again raised questions about his long-term viability as a team leader.
Tsunoda’s Mixed Season
Yuki Tsunoda remains a unique talent—blisteringly fast on a good day, but still prone to errors and volatility. In 2024, he showed improved maturity, especially in qualifying, but his race performances were patchy. Mechanical issues and strategy errors didn’t help, but several mistakes were self-inflicted.
Team leadership has publicly supported Tsunoda, but privately, the pressure is mounting. With Red Bull eyeing a return on its investment in young talent—and Honda’s future role in the team shifting—Tsunoda’s protection may be fading.
Lawson’s Strengths
Liam Lawson brings a different profile to the table. He’s measured, composed, and extremely adaptable. He’s raced across multiple categories—Super Formula, Formula 2, and DTM—and delivered strong performances in each.
What sets him apart is his ability to maximize the machinery at his disposal. When he filled in during his F1 cameo, he was up to speed within a single weekend. That kind of adaptability is rare and highly valuable in the current F1 landscape, where opportunities are limited and pressure is sky-high.
Support from Within
According to reports, senior figures within the Red Bull camp—including Helmut Marko—remain highly supportive of Lawson’s prospects. Marko, known for his ruthless but sharp talent judgment, has praised Lawson’s technical understanding and calm demeanor.
Even Christian Horner has hinted at Lawson being “part of the future.” And with potential changes looming for 2025, it appears the door is more open than ever.
What Happens Next?
The 2025 driver market is already heating up. With questions surrounding Sergio Pérez’s future at Red Bull Racing and Ricciardo’s long-term form still under evaluation, RB could see a total reshuffle. If Ricciardo moves up or out, and Tsunoda fails to deliver consistent results, Lawson could find himself in prime position for a race seat.
There’s even speculation that Lawson could be loaned out to another team if Red Bull wants to retain him but can’t immediately place him—similar to how other juniors have been managed in the past.
A Calculated Push
Lawson hasn’t been loud or flashy in lobbying for a seat. But through quiet consistency, intelligent preparation, and a growing fanbase, he’s made himself very hard to ignore.
He’s ticking all the boxes Red Bull looks for in a future star—discipline, speed, adaptability, and the ability to deliver under pressure.
Conclusion: A New Era on the Horizon?
Yuki Tsunoda may still have a seat for now, but Liam Lawson is circling patiently—and convincingly. As the team prepares for a new season and potentially a new direction, the message is clear: Lawson is ready.
The only question is whether Red Bull will make the call in time.