F1 world champion Max Verstappen is reportedly unhappy as Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda looks set to replace Red Bull teammate Liam Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Ahead of the new season, Red Bull sparked plenty of debate when they promoted Lawson ahead of the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda.
Having made just 11 grand prix appearances in two spells across 2023 and 2024, the Kiwi driver replaced Sergio Perez, while the highly-rated Tsunoda remained with sister team Racing Bulls.
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After receiving a vote of confidence, however, Lawson has yet to secure a point for Red Bull this season. He crashed out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix before finishing 12th in Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been linked with a promotion to Red Bull. In fact, a report from F1 insider claims Tsunoda will swap places with Lawson at his home race in Japan next month.
That same report has also provided a fascinating insight into the proposed swap.
It is said Lawson's current teammate Max Verstappen 'isn't happy' with the turn of events, although his feelings are not specifically related to Tsunoda’s promotion from the Racing Bulls team.
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"The Dutchman believes the engineers have a duty to build a racing car that can be driven to the limit by more than just the four-time world champion," the report adds.
Verstappen is also concerned that such a fast demotion for Lawson could ‘ruin’ his career.
It emerged on Monday morning that Red Bull are 'seriously considering' swapping Lawson and Tsunoda for the Japanese Grand Prix, according to Sky Sports.
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Sky pundit Ralf Schumacher, meanwhile, claims the move involving Lawson and Tsunoda is on the cards as he criticised Red Bull's management.
"Liam Lawson is already out for the next race," he said on Monday. "Tsunoda will replace him. It’s not fully confirmed yet, but that’s how it looks.
“I have to say, it’s unbelievable. From a management perspective, I also find it incredibly bad.
“I don’t understand it at all because it destabilises the Racing Bulls team, which is finally in a good position with both drivers. Tsunoda is better, but still has no chance against Max [Verstappen]."
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Schumacher added: “Lawson goes back to the Racing Bulls now. He’ll have to rebuild himself there again. This is pure chaos at Red Bull."
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has also given his take on Lawson's lacklustre start to life with the team.
"I think Liam still has got potential, we're just not realising that at the moment. I think the problem for him is, he's had a couple of really tough weekends, he's got all the media on his back," he said.
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"The pressure just naturally grows in this business, and I feel very sorry for him. You can see it's very tough on him at the moment. He's a young guy, we've got a duty to look after him and we're going to do the best that we can to support him.
"Liam's still a very capable driver. We know that, just for whatever reason, we're not seeing him able to deliver that at the moment."
Thoughts on the situation? Let us know in the comments.
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Topics: Max Verstappen, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing
Jack Kenmare