Yuki Tsunoda reportedly snubs Liam Lawson at Red Bull event
Video footage from a recent Red Bull Tokyo Drift event suggests that Yuki Tsunoda intentionally ignored his former teammate Liam Lawson, exhibiting a rather chilly dismissal, reports BritPanorama.
The two drivers were seen alongside other notable racers including Arvid Lindblad and Ayumu Iwasa. After a group photo session concluded, Lawson turned to admire a Red Bull vehicle, while Tsunoda moved on to greet others but walked past Lawson without acknowledgement.
This apparent snub adds to an already disappointing season for Tsunoda in 2025, where he has struggled in his role alongside the dominant Max Verstappen. Throughout the season, Tsunoda was unable to outperform his teammate, finishing with a stark record against Verstappen of 22-0 in qualifying sessions and 20-0 in races.
Tsunoda’s performance yielded just 30 points, with a sixth-place finish being his zenith, prompting team principal Laurent Mekies to exclude him from the 2026 lineup. Reflecting on the season, he expressed regret, stating that his performance began promisingly with a fifth-place qualification at the Australian Grand Prix and a sixth-place finish in the Sprint in China.
He noted, “In 2025, I had the best start of any season I was P5 in qualifying,” indicating opportunities missed. Despite his current reserve position within the Red Bull team, Tsunoda remains hopeful of returning to the grid, but time is of the essence as a new wave of talent continues to emerge.
The driver, recognized for his competitive spirit, seems to reflect a deeper narrative of ambition amid rivalry, highlighting the fine line between partnership and competition in motorsport. While he navigates the complexities of his career, fans will be keen to observe if he can leverage his connections within Red Bull for another chance in the future.
