Yuki Tsunoda is set to make his debut at the and will be sporting a striking red and white livery. The hometown hero will join Max Verstappen on the Suzuka Circuit this Sunday, stepping in for , who was dropped from Christian Horner's team after a disappointing start to the 2025 .

Lawson crashed in Melbourne and finished a dismal 16th 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 - where Lawson was sent back - and is eager to make an impact in Japan this Sunday. In doing so, Tsunoda will showcase a special Red Bull livery dedicated to the team's seventh and final season with Honda.

Drawing inspiration from Honda's first win at the 1965 Mexican GP - where Richie Ginther secured victory in the iconic Honda RA272 - the design features a pristine white base coat with a red circle around the car number. The classic 'H' logo is also prominently displayed, paying homage to the Japanese brand's triumph 60 years ago. Meanwhile, the drivers will also wear special white racing suits with red stripes down the sides for the special occasion.

A similar 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

Ahead of the Japanese GP, Red Bull team principal Horner praised the partnership 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." Koji Watanabe, president of the Honda Racing Corporation, 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."

As for the upcoming race at Suzuka Circuit, Verstappen and Tsunoda are set to join forces on the grid for the first time in a competitive setting. Tsunoda, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, outlined his strategy, explaining: "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 partnership with Verstappen, he added: "I mentioned it quite a while ago, but he's a bit different in how he behaves in the car and outside of the car. I'm not really worrying about the relationship we're going to have in both sides. I know what I want to do and probably how he drives and how he thinks."

Lawson, meanwhile, has admitted that he's looking forward to his return to Racing Bulls, explaining: "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."