Tsunoda and Lawson set for Japanese GP press conferences after controversial switch

11:30, 02 Apr
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We are already at the third race weekend of this Formula 1 season: the Japanese Grand Prix. As always, the race weekend kicks off on Thursday with the media day, including two press conferences with drivers. This time, all eyes are naturally on Liam Lawson and local hero Yuki Tsunoda.

Prior to the race weekend in Japan, Red Bull Racing announced that it had decided to demote Lawson back to Racing Bulls, and that his place would be taken by Tsunoda.

Although there was extensive speculation that Red Bull deliberately chose the race weekend in Japan, considering it is the home race for both Yuki Tsunoda and Honda, the team vehemently denied this.

Helmut Marko emphasized that the timing of the switch had nothing to do with the Suzuka race weekend, but was purely related to the championship battle in the constructors' standings.

Lawson and Tsunoda will appear before the media this coming Thursday in the official press conferences, though they are kept in separate sessions.

The schedule for the press conferences of the Japanese GP

Thursday 3 April - 05:30 AM Netherlands time

  • Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
  • George Russell (Mercedes)
  • Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

Thursday 3 April - 06:00 AM Netherlands time

  • Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
  • Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber)
  • Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)

Friday 4 April - 05:30 AM Netherlands time

  • Ayao Komatsu (Haas)
  • Andrew Shovlin (Mercedes)
  • Laurent Mekies (Racing Bulls)