Red Bull said on Thursday that Liam Lawson has been axed and replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, confirming days of speculation and just two race weekends into the F1 season. Tsunoda will take over from the struggling New Zealander starting at his home Japanese Grand Prix next week at Suzuka, Red Bull said in a statement. The 24-year-old Tsunoda moves up from the RB team to partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen, with Lawson moving back down to RB, where he was last season. Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, said: "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.