Christian Horner sacks Red Bull's number two driver Liam Lawson

The Red Bull team has confirmed the sacking of its number two driver Liam Lawson after just two races.

Christian Horner's Formula 1 team said it had a 'duty of care to protect' him after demoting him to Racing Bulls and replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda for the Japanese driver’s home race in Suzuka next weekend.

The New Zealander' sacking comes after a desperate weekend in China where he qualified last for both the sprint race and the Grand Prix. The week before, on the 23-year-old's debut for Red Bull, he crashed out in Melbourne.

In Sunday's (23 March) main event in Shanghai, Lawson ended up finishing in 12th place - 81 seconds behind winner Oscar Piastri.

Liam Lawson had a disappointing weekend in China (Kym Illman/Getty Images)

Following that disappointing weekend, Horner refused to confirm that Lawson would remain in the Red Bull car for a third race in Japan. And he has now announced the decision to send the Kiwi back to Racing Bulls, promoting the previously overlooked Tsunoda.

“It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and as a result we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch,” the team principal explained in a statement released by Red Bull.

“We came into the 2025 season with two ambitions, to retain the world drivers’ championship and to reclaim the world constructors’ title and this is a purely sporting decision.

“We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car. We welcome him to the team and are looking forward to seeing him behind the wheel of the RB21.”

Horner confirmed Lawson's axing (Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Horner added: “We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, an environment and a team he knows very well.”

Lawson was put into the Red Bull cockpit this year after just 11 appearances across two seasons for the team's junior outfit. He replaced Sergio Perez who was dropped following four seasons with the team.

Having previously dominated F1, Red Bull has 'fallen off the pace' over the last year, with its number one, Max Verstappen, taking just two wins in his past 16 appearances.

However, he currently remains second to Lando Norris in the championship standings.