Red Bull driver Liam Lawson gave a fiery response to comments made by Yuki Tsunoda amid reports that the pair could swap seats before the Japanese Grand Prix.
Autosport reported on Sunday morning, after the Chinese Grand Prix, that Tsunoda could be promoted from Racing Bulls before the next race, replacing Lawson.
The Kiwi has failed to score a point in either of his first two weekends in the second Red Bull seat.
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He replaced Sergio Perez for 2025 but has suffered from continuous balance problems throughout his first outings in the car.
He finished in 12th place in China - which would have been 15th if not for Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly being disqualified - and was 20th and last in qualifying.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner attempted to pour cold water on reports that a switch could be made this early in the season, but advisor Helmut Marko told Autosport that there would be an 'emergency' meeting at the team's base in Milton Keynes to discuss Lawson's situation.
Tsunoda was asked after qualifying in Shanghai about whether he believed he could replace Lawson if a decision was made.
He replied: "In Japan? Yeah, 100 per cent. I mean, the car is faster."
Many fans called for the Japanese driver to be placed in the seat from the beginning of the season, though he was overlooked in favour of Lawson last winter.
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His comments were relayed to the current Red Bull driver after the Grand Prix - to which a definitive response was given.
Lawson said: "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."
Lawson joined the Racing Bulls team for the last six races of the season, replacing Daniel Ricciardo as Tsunoda's team-mate from the United States Grand Prix onwards. Tsunoda scored eight points compared to Lawson's four during that time.
But the Kiwi also deputised for Ricciardo in 2023 after the Australian broke his hand in a freak accident in Dutch Grand Prix practice.
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In the six races that followed, Lawson did outscore his team-mate by two points to zero - although Tsunoda does still hold the all-time advantage.
Topics: Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Ryan Smart