Reason Red Bull are racing with special white and red car at Japanese Grand Prix
Yuki Tsunoda will make his Red Bull debut at the Japanese Grand Prix and will do so in a special livery for the team's final Formula 1 season with Honda
Yuki Tsunoda is set to make his Red Bull debut at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, sporting a striking red and white livery.
The hometown hero will join Max Verstappen on the Suzuka Circuit this Sunday, stepping in for Liam Lawson, who was dropped from Christian Horner's team after a disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 Championship. Lawson had crashed out in Melbourne and only managed a below-average 16th-place finish at the Chinese GP before bosses decided to replace him with Tsunoda.
The 24-year-old from Sagamihara was promoted from the Racing Bulls team, which Lawson was sent back to, and he'll be hoping to make an immediate impact in Japan this Sunday. As part of his debut, Tsunoda will sport a special Red Bull livery dedicated to the team's seventh and final season with Honda - as will Verstappen.
The design, inspired by Honda's first win at the 1965 Mexican GP, where Richie Ginther took victory in the iconic Honda RA272, features a clean white base coat with a red circle around the car number - reminiscent of the Japanese flag. The classic 'H' logo is also prominently displayed, paying homage to the Japanese brand's win from 60 years ago.
This livery was last seen at the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, which was supposed to mark the end of the partnership's stint in Formula 1. However, following further success, the two brands decided to extend their collaboration, reports the Mirror.
Ahead of the Japanese GP, Team Principal Horner proudly reflected on the synergy with Honda, saying: "Our relationship with Honda deserves celebration, it has been one of continued success and brought the Team one of the most triumphant and dominant periods in our history. Max has won four World titles with a Honda Power Unit and the Team have lifted two Constructors' titles, in addition, Honda's reliability enabled to complete the most successful season in the sport's history in 2023.
"This livery is a tribute to Honda's success in the sport and the final year of, what has been a thoroughly enjoyable partnership. I am looking forward to seeing it out on track."
Echoing the sentiment, Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe added: "It is quite moving to see the RA272 tribute livery on the latest Red Bull Racing machine in the final year of Honda and Red Bull's partnership. Our successful path will continue to shine in the history of F1."
With eyes set on the Suzuka Circuit, Verstappen and Tsunoda are preparing to team up on the grid for the first time in a competitive race. Tsunoda spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live, outlining his strategy at his home grand prix, saying: "In the end, Red Bull Racing are focused on Max scoring a drivers' championship. He has proven himself to have good potential to be a world champion - even though Red Bull seems to be struggling a little now.
"Performance-wise he [Horner] wants me to be as close to Max as possible. In some races I can help with the strategy but he also promised me in some situations that if I'm able to be in front of Max that he wouldn't necessarily ask me to swap positions and make Max win."
Speaking about his new dynamic with Verstappen, he added: "I mentioned in the past quite a while ago but he's a bit different from how he behaves in the car and outside of the car. I'm not really worrying about the relationship we're going to have on both sides.
"I know what I want to do and probably how he drives and how he thinks." Meanwhile, Lawson expressed enthusiasm for his comeback to Racing Bulls. He said: "I'm really looking forward to be racing in Japan this weekend. Suzuka is one of my favourite tracks on the calendar.
"It's cool to drive and very high speed, which makes it great fun in a Formula 1 car. This weekend is a big opportunity for me as I rejoin Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and I'm very excited to work with this team again. As always, I'll be giving it everything I have."