A new report has detailed why Formula One world champion Max Verstappen has changed his original plans for the upcoming week amid Red Bull’s current crisis.
Red Bull are seriously considering swapping the out-of-form Liam Lawson for ex-teammate and Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, according to widespread reports.
At the end of last year, Red Bull chose to promote Lawson ahead of the more experienced Tsunoda.
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But after crashing out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix before finishing 12th in China, the 23-year-old's future is likely to be brought up at an emergency meeting in Milton Keynes this week.
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko confirmed after Sunday’s grand prix in China that the team would sit down and discuss their poor start to 2025.
"This week there is a meeting in Milton Keynes to discuss when and how we can close the gap,” Marko told Sky Germany. "Until then, it's about scoring as many points as possible. We are worried, but it is not like we are throwing in the towel.”
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Ahead of the meeting, it has emerged that Max Verstappen will shorten his time at home this week in order to collaborate with engineers and team management at Red Bull.
Verstappen initially planned to be at home in Monaco with his heavily-pregnant girlfriend Kelly Piquet but he will now visit the factor "to discuss the weaknesses", according to Marko.
A plane will be on hand in the event that he needs to urgently return if Kelly goes into labour, according to reports.
Last week, F1 insider suggested Verstappen is not happy with the situation involving Lawson, 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.
Verstappen was recently asked if Red Bull is now the fourth-fastest team in Formula One. "That's what it feels like for me at the moment," he replied.
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"I've been feeling really good and relaxed in the car, also in qualifying. I've been able to maximise it, but it's just too slow."
"Last year we also had a lot of tyre degradation here on the fronts, but now it's a bit more extreme," he added. "But it's clear we're just not in a very good position, especially compared to McLaren but also the other teams."
Topics: Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Formula 1
Jack Kenmare