An update regarding Liam Lawson's future at Red Bull has emerged after reports suggested Yuki Tsunoda could replace him ahead of next month's Japanese Grand Prix.
At the end of last year, Red Bull opted to promote Lawson from their junior squad Racing Bulls ahead of his more experienced former teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
After just 11 Grand Prix appearances in two spells across 2023 and 2024, the Kiwi driver replaced Sergio Perez, while the highly-rated Tsunoda stayed with sister team Racing Bulls alongside Isack Hadjar.
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But since switching teams, Lawson has yet to secure a point. He crashed out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in wet conditions, before finishing 12th in the Chinese GP on Sunday.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been linked with a promotion to Red Bull.
In fact, shortly after the race in Shanghai on Sunday, a report from Autosport claimed Red Bull were already considering whether to swap the two drivers before the third Grand Prix of the season in Japan.
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But on Sunday afternoon, FIA-accredited journalist Thomas Maher said no decisions have yet been made regarding potential driver changes.
"Rumour mill running wild about RBR but what is known is that no decisions have yet been made about any potential driver changes," he said on X, formerly Twitter.
"Yuki Tsunoda is not decided upon for Japan, while Franco Colapinto is understood to be nowhere near involved in any discussions."
He added: "If any decisions are made, they'll be made with cool and calm heads away from the immediate aftermath of this weekend. Expectation is no decisions will be made until race week for Suzuka."
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Tsunoda was asked on Saturday about whether he could drive the car from Japan onwards, to which he replied: "In Japan? Yeah, 100 per cent. I mean, the car is faster."
After a poor display in China, Lawson reflected on his start to life at Red Bull in a candid interview.
“It’s really tough honestly, the window is really small,” he said on Saturday. “It’s not an excuse, I’ve got to get a handle on it. It was a messy session, it’s still not good enough.
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“To be having those issues, we should be fast enough on our first lap. I need to get on top of it.”
When asked what he needs to improve going forward, Lawson replied: “It’s just time. Unfortunately, I don’t really have time, it’s just one of those things.
“To drive a Formula 1 car, it takes 100% confidence. The window is so small and I just seem to miss it... I need to get a handle of it. It’s just not good enough.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also gave his take on Lawson's start to life with the team.
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Speaking to Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz, he said: "Look, Formula 1 is a pressure business, isn't it? And there's always time pressure. And he [Lawson] knows that. Hopefully he'll respond accordingly, and we'll see where we go.
"Liam is a great little racer. He gets his elbows out, he races hard, he's just struggling at the moment finding the limit with his car, getting the most out of the car. And, of course, as a team, as a group, we're looking to support him in the best way that we can."
Topics: Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Jack Kenmare