The Kiwi’s promotion dealt a blow to former team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who was once again overlooked for the Red Bull drive despite out-performing drivers such as Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo and Lawson in recent seasons.
Will Tsunoda leave Red Bull?
Tsunoda will enter his fifth season with VCARB in 2025, which is particularly concerning as Red Bull bosses have re-asserted the team’s purpose as a junior squad following the promotion of Lawson and Isack Hadjar.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hinted at a Tsunoda axe following Lawson’s promotion, and said ‘you can't always be the bridesmaid’ in reference to him missing out on the seat once again.
Now, the Japanese driver has been tipped for a brutal F1 axe by 1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve in what would be a huge twist in the 2025 season.
"Tsunoda will be the first driver to leave the grid," Villeneuve said via Action Network.
"He’s only there because of Honda. At some point this will stop. And the writing is quite clear that this is his last season with the Red Bull family anyway.
"I don't see any team wanting him unless there's a big Honda push."