Red Bull already lining up Yuki Tsunoda replacement after axing Daniel Ricciardo from RB

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull have just dropped Daniel Ricciardo from the Visa Cash App RB line-up to gift Liam Lawson the rest of 2024, and also have a replacement for Yuki Tsunoda in mind.

This season was supposed to be a major rebrand for the team from Faenza beyond simply a new name. Out went the AlphaTauri branding used between 2020 and 2023 to promote the Red Bull fashion line and in came title sponsors from payment services Visa and Cash App.

Tsunoda staying in Faenza for his fourth season in Formula 1 plus Red Bull keeping Ricciardo, an eight-time Grand Prix winner, there was meant to make RB more than only a junior team. Yet Visa Cash App RB just returned to being the junior team after Lawson replaced Ricciardo.

Red Bull plan to replace Yuki Tsunoda with Arvid Lindblad at Visa Cash App RB in 2026

Red Bull have switched Ricciardo out for Lawson at RB for the rest of the season with the 22-year-old making his season debut at the United States Grand Prix. The Milton Keynes natives want to see Lawson prove himself next to Tsunoda at RB in view of getting the seat for 2025.

His audition through the final six rounds of the year could even see Lawson land a drive with Red Bull next season. That is according to Speedcafe, which reports that while Red Bull team boss Christian Horner wants to keep Sergio Perez with Max Verstappen, Lawson is an option.

Should Red Bull buy Perez out of his contract for 2025 – which includes an option for 2026 – and promote Lawson, a drive then opens at Visa Cash App RB for Formula 2 title-contender, Isack Hadjar. Promoting the Frenchman now also creates a path to replace Tsunoda in 2026.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from team principal to Red Bull relationship

RB took up an option in Tsunoda’s contract in June to keep the 24-year-old next season. But the Japanese gem is expected to leave the Red Bull family entirely in 2026 after Honda parts ways and joins Aston Martin as a works engine partner. And Red Bull have a successor ready.

British wonderkid Arvid Lindblad is in line to replace Tsunoda at Visa Cash App RB come the 2026 Formula 1 season. The 17-year-old recently finished his rookie Formula 3 season and is signed up to debut in Formula 2 in 2025 with Campos Racing, with whom Hadjar races now.

Christian Horner is ‘particularly excited’ by Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad

Red Bull intend to promote Lindblad to Formula 1 with Visa Cash App RB after his rookie F2 season with Tsunoda on his way out of Faenza after next year. The London-born talent, who also has Swedish and Indian heritage, joined the Red Bull Junior Team while karting in 2021.

Lindblad has rapidly risen up the junior ladder since joining the Red Bull driver programme, finishing third in the 2023 Italian F4 Championship and securing fourth in the FIA Formula 3 standings in 2024. He won four of the 20 F3 races in 2024, including a double at Silverstone.

Red Bull team principal Horner is a huge fan of Lindblad, describing him as a ‘very exciting young talent’ who ‘I’m particularly excited about’ recently. Now, Horner will want to see a clear sign the Briton is ready for Formula 1 when Lindblad steps up to Formula 2 next year.