Formula 1’s Red Bull Racing team has shocked the motorsport world by swapping drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda just two races into the 2025 F1 season. NASCAR driver and analyst Parker Kligerman expressed strong criticism of the move, calling it one of the wildest driver changes he’s ever witnessed. The swap shows just how much pressure exists within the Red Bull team right now.
Parker Kligerman Questions Red Bull’s Driver Management Approach
The change means Tsunoda moves up from Racing Bulls (previously known as AlphaTauri) to join Max Verstappen at the senior Red Bull team starting at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka in Formula 1’s upcoming race week. Meanwhile, Lawson heads back to Racing Bulls to team up with rookie driver Isack Hadjar.
The decision follows Lawson’s difficult start to the season. He crashed out in Australia in the season opener during difficult weather conditions and managed only a 13th-place finish in the Chinese Grand Prix after starting from the pit lane.
Despite showing potential last year when he replaced Daniel Ricciardo, Lawson has struggled to get comfortable with the RB21 car. Team boss Christian Horner says they made the switch to improve overall performance.
Kligerman, however, didn’t hold back when discussing Red Bull’s decision on his X account, calling it “One of the wildest and fastest driver changes and change of direction I’ve ever seen in motorsports.”
He didn’t stop there, either. “Potentially when finances (funding) aren’t the issue this is what happens in motorsports?” Kligerman asked.
One of the wildest and fastest driver changes and change of direction I’ve ever seen in motorsports.
Potentially when finances (funding) aren’t the issue this is what happens in motorsports? https://t.co/YwdkzcM6fx
— Parker Kligerman (@pkligerman)
This isn’t the first time Red Bull has made a quick change to its drivers on the grid. In fact, Verstappen has had five different teammates in the last eight years. While not as egregiously short as Lawson’s tenure, both Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon were promoted to Red Bull, only to be sent back down after short stints with the main team.
Nevertheless, this is a huge opportunity for Tsunoda, especially since Honda will stop working with Red Bull after 2025. How he performs next to Verstappen could determine his future in Formula 1.
As for Lawson, he now has to rebuild his confidence at Racing Bulls, though Horner insists the team is still committed to developing his talent in a less stressful environment.
All eyes will be on Tsunoda at the Japanese Grand Prix on April 4–6. While Red Bull is clearly desperate to stay competitive in both championships (Drivers and Constructors), Kligerman’s “wildest” description seems fitting for a team making such dramatic changes so early in the season.