A few reliable sources reported yesterday that Red Bull is preparing to announce a major change to its driver line-up, with Yuki Tsunoda expected to replace Liam Lawson after just two Grands Prix. Although not yet officially confirmed, the reports have already sparked strong reactions among fans and within the paddock.

Lawson has had a difficult start to the season. After impressing many last year with some solid performances after replacing Daniel Ricciardo, expectations were high. However, in Australia he crashed and failed to finish, and in China he was the slowest driver in both qualifying sessions and ended the race outside the points.

With the team aiming to stay competitive in the Constructors’ Championship, performances like these are not ideal, especially when Max Verstappen has already scored 36 points in the same machinery despite ongoing technical challenges.

The situation becomes even more interesting considering that Red Bull reportedly paid around 18 million euros to move Sergio Perez aside in order to give Lawson this opportunity. If Lawson is now being replaced after only two races, it raises questions about the long-term planning and internal pressure within the team.

At the same time, many argue whether Yuki Tsunoda will actually perform better in the Red Bull seat, especially given how demanding the car has proven to be. Even Max Verstappen admitted that the RB21 is difficult to adjust to and requires a very specific driving style to get the most out of it.

Another major factor in this story is Honda. The Japanese engine supplier has backed Tsunoda throughout his career and has reportedly offered Red Bull significant financial support to place him in the top team. Although this offer was initially turned down before the start of the season, recent developments suggest that Red Bull may now be open to accepting Honda’s support. With the Japanese Grand Prix just around the corner, the timing could not be more fitting for Tsunoda to step into a main team seat in front of his home fans.

However, Honda and Red Bull are set to go their separate ways at the end of this season. From next year, Honda will become the engine supplier for Aston Martin, while Red Bull will begin developing its own power units in collaboration with Ford.

This naturally raises questions about Yuki Tsunoda’s future, given how closely his career has been supported by Honda. With that partnership coming to an end, it is unclear whether Tsunoda will still have a place within the Red Bull family in the long term.

At the same time, this situation could open the door for Liam Lawson to return next year. If he gains more experience and proves himself over the course of the season, Red Bull may look to bring him back into the main team setup once the Honda connection no longer plays a role in driver decisions.

Many fans had been hoping to see Tsunoda replace Perez already at the end of 2024, believing his performances at the sister team over the past four seasons had earned him a shot. If this switch happens now, it would come earlier than expected, but for some, it will feel well deserved. Others may argue that Lawson was not given enough time to prove himself and that two races, including one DNF and a tough weekend in China, are not enough to judge a driver’s full potential.