Liam Lawson bombshell drops as 'decision made' on Red Bull future after Chinese Grand Prix

A decision has been made on the future of Liam Lawson after a poor start to the new Formula One season with Red Bull, reports claim.

Lawson made his official debut for Red Bull in Australia last week after being promoted from its Racing Bulls junior team and replacing Sergio Perez but crashed out at lap 47 in the difficult conditions in Melbourne.

In qualifying ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Lawson came last and had to start the race in Shanghai from the pit late before going out to cross the line in 15th place.

Because of the three post-race disqualifications handed out to Ferrari pair Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc of Alpine, Lawson ended up coming 12th but doubts about the 23-year-old's future remain after he failed to score a point yet again.

With four-time world champion Max Verstappen also unhappy after finishing fourth and just missing out on the podium in Shanghai, rumours have been rife that Red Bull are planning wholesale changes.

There has been strong speculation that Red Bull are poised to swap Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda from the Racing Bulls.

A report from Autosport prior to the second Grand Prix of the season claimed Red Bull were already considering the change, which would see Lawson return to Racing Bulls.

F1 insider reported that Tsunoda will indeed replace Lawson for his home race in Japan at the next event in Suzuka Circuit, effectively trading places.

And that was followed up by an update from Sky pundit Ralf Schumacher, who 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].

“Lawson goes back to the Racing Bulls now. He’ll have to rebuild himself there again. This is pure chaos at Red Bull.

After qualifying in Shanghai, Tsunoda was asked about the potential move and replied: "Japan? Yeah, 100 per cent. I mean, the car is faster." He was then pulled away by a PR manager.

Lawson did not seem to enjoy the comment from his former teammate and when he was pressed, the New Zealander remarked: "I've raced him for years, raced him in junior categories and beat him. And I did in F1 as well, so he can say whatever he wants."

Liam Lawson has had a disappointing start to life with Red Bull. Image: Getty

No official decision has been communicated on Lawson's situation but Helmut Marko has confirmed there would be an 'emergency' meeting at the team's headquarters in Milton Keynes - with the Kiwi's future set to be top of the agenda as they discuss how to "close the gap".

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner addressed Lawson's struggles after the Chinese Grand Prix and threw his support behind the driver.

He told Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz: "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."

In a different interview with DAZN, Horner said there are "always rumours" but stressed that Red Bull chiefs would have "a good look at the data."

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