Sky Sports F1 reporter Craig Slater has provided more clarity on the imminent decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull.
On Tuesday evening it emerged through Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, that Lawson would be demoted back to Racing Bulls (Red Bull Jr team) and replaced by his former teammate, Tsunoda, for the Japanese Grand Prix.
It comes just two races into Lawson's stint at the team, making him the shortest-serving Red Bull driver in history.
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The decision to swap drivers so early in a season has been criticised by almost everyone in F1, but Slater provided the real reason behind the decision while speaking to Sky Sports News on Wednesday.
The veteran reporter revealed after speaking to high-placed sources' at the team, the decision to remove Lawson was for his benefit rather than to 'ruin' his career.
"What I'm getting to understand is it's almost a duty of care scenario that Red Bull are evaluating in making that switch," Slater told Sky Sports News.
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"He's almost had an adverse reaction to that car, it's as though he can't find the reference points that would enable him to properly drive it around a track.
"In the detail of it, it seems he has not got to grips with how the car handles."
Slater also claimed that Lawson himself had lost confidence in his ability to change his fortunes and giving him more time could damage him further.
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"It's not just from within the team it's been obvious who have been in and around Red Bull in the first couple of races of the season that Liam Lawson has lost confidence in his own ability to turn this around quickly," he added.
"He's talked about almost being at a loss in how to put things right, so the kinder thing to do to him, although it seems harsh and ruthless, is allow him to regroup."
Slater also stood firm that the swap with Tsunoda may not improve the situation at Red Bull due to their 2025 car being so difficult to master.
"However, there is no guarantee that Yuki Tsunoda will come in and make it a better scenario, the bottom line is this is a very difficult car to drive," Slater concluded.
Topics: Formula 1, Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, Motorsport
Tom Jenkins