Yuki Tsunoda’s “sensational” progress has made him totally deserving of a Purple Bull drive, however Racing Bulls group principal Laurent Mekies says he is able to assist Liam Lawson rebuild his confidence.
Purple Bull opted to swap the 2 drivers after simply two rounds of the brand new season after Lawson struggled at Purple Bull, failing to flee Q1 in both Australia or China or to get anyplace close to a points-paying end on every event. Tsunoda was chosen as his alternative early in his fifth season with the junior group, and Mekies says the Japanese driver’s improvement wants acknowledging amid the shock of the change.
“We’re extremely pleased with Yuki incomes his well-deserved transfer to Oracle Purple Bull Racing,” Mekies stated. “His progress final 12 months, and extra not too long ago from the very begin of 2025, has been nothing lower than sensational.
“Personally, and collectively, it has been an immense privilege to witness these progresses for all of us in Faenza and in Milton Keynes. Yuki’s vitality and positivity has lightened up each nook of our factories and of our storage and he’ll at all times be a Racing Bull! We want him all of the success he deserves at [Red Bull].”
Lawson was dropped by Purple Bull after solely two races with the group — the quickest change by far, beating the earlier report of 12 races for Pierre Gasly in 2019 — and Mekies says his focus is on serving to the New Zealander regain the shape he confirmed for Racing Bulls final 12 months.
“Everybody right here at VCARB is wanting ahead to working arduous with Liam to offer him one of the best atmosphere potential for him to shine in our automobile and to specific the expertise everyone knows he has. He slot in so nicely final 12 months, and we can not wait to problem ourselves and develop as a group. With Isack [Hadjar] having began so strongly with us already, we all know we’ve a younger and powerful line-up.”
The change takes place with instant impact, with Tsunoda racing for Purple Bull from his residence race on the Japanese Grand Prix onwards. Purple Bull stated the transfer was made for sporting causes alone, with the group already 42 factors adrift of McLaren within the constructors’ championship.
