Entering the Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull have made the decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda. Carlos Sainz, who has experience with the Red Bull family, was not surprised the Austrians made that decision so early into the campaign.

Red Bull has confirmed Yuki Tsunoda will replace Liam Lawson from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards, calling it a "purely sporting decision."

Helmut Marko has revealed that Red Bull's driver swap was partly motivated by a crucial need to save Max Verstappen's future with the team.