Helmut Marko has revealed that Red Bull team bosses are to meet this week to discuss Liam Lawson's future with the team.

It was another nightmare for the New Zealander, who has yet to make it past Q3 far less contribute to his team's points tally.

While teammate Max Verstappen maintains second in the driver standings, it is only the disqualification of both Ferraris that prevented Red Bull slipping to fourth in the all-important constructors'.

While Lawson is aware that he is off the pace and not contributing, he insists that he needs time, but that is exactly what his team doesn't have.

Having dithered last year and failed to act when Sergio Perez' performances began to drop off, the Austrian outfit doesn't want to be caught out again.

As a result there is talk of Lawson being replaced as early as next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, local hero Yuki Tsunoda being the obvious choice in terms of his replacement.

"This week there is a meeting in Milton Keynes to discuss when and how we can close the gap," Helmut Marko told Sky Germany following yesterday's race.

"Until then, it's about scoring as many points as possible," he admitted. "We are worried, but it is not like we are throwing in the towel."

As was the case with Perez, Christian Horner is trying to give Lawson as much time as he can afford.

"It's Race 2," the Briton told reporters in Shanghai. "You can't be that defeatist. I mean we're eight points behind in the drivers' championship after two races, and there's everything to play for.

"If nothing else, last year teaches you, you can start as strong as you like, it's how you finish," he added. "We've got great strength and depth in our team.

"Everybody in the company knows we've got a bit of pace to find and you know, we've got the tools, we've got the people in order to do that. It's just unpicking it."

Following the disappointment of the Shootout, Sprint and qualifying, the team went for an aggressive set-up change on the kiwi's car, resulting in him having to start from the pitlane.

However, speaking at race end the youngster admitted that it hadn't worked out.

"We tried something different," he said, "it was a gamble to try and figure out the set-up of the car.

"We tried to do something aggressive, and it didn't really work," he admitted, "it was quite a big step but we struggled with pace, and the car felt more tricky than Melbourne.

"Our pace in the Sprint yesterday was better.

"It is not something you can put into words, it is a very small window with this car and if you miss it, it is very penalising.

"The more we drive, the more we try stuff and learn from it, unfortunately it didn't go in the right direction today. I just need to drive this car faster.

"It's nothing to do with external pressure," he insisted, "the team have been extremely supportive. It is a unique track here, but we will reflect and learn from it going forward."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 13 hours ago

"Liam looked a beaten man in the interview pen after the race, Red Bull looks very similar to Honda in Moto GP where only Mark Marquex could ride the bike, now we see only Max can get the most out of the Red Bull, both Checo and Liam cannot have forgotten how to drive."

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2. Posted by ffracer, 24/03/2025 20:10

"Some great points but the second seat is for a driver that they can develop, for the long term. 2026 is the first year for the RB / Ford powertrain collaboration and Yuki is a Honda driver... until Honda announced that they are going to personally sponsor him. This is now interesting: If Yuki gets the 2nd RB seat for Japan and does well, it's good for him and good for the team. Lawson has only 12 ( ?) races under his belt, so more time to develop with Racing VISA lol is good for everyone. Liam is not even close to get out of Q1 with an RB..."

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3. Posted by moomoo, 24/03/2025 18:33

"@BillH I'd have thought the poisoned chalice was the second seat at the first team. I can see no harm in dropping him into the 'other' team. It seems pretty evident they provide a vastly more amenable car and to all those harping on Yuki shoulda/coulda/woulda, he's had sufficient time to showcase his skills for exactly what? Sierra, Foxtrot, Alpha sums him up pretty well. There only because of Honda and without Honda he'd be where he should be - not there in the first place! Hadjar? Well early days but he's looking the goods so keep him around and by all means get rid of Yuki to the Max car and help him sink. Lawson will demonstrate immediately his skills and I look forward to seeing him in the RB car showing Max his red light."

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4. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 24/03/2025 17:03

"It should've been Yuki from the start for 2nd Red Bull seat."

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5. Posted by BillH, 24/03/2025 16:57

"If the team can honestly say they have tried absolutely everything to help Lawson out and things do not improve, then it's time for a driver change.
For sure it would be a massive hit to Lawson's ego to go back to RB, however, better to go back, reset and prove he's "still got it" than to cost himself more confidence and the team more points.
This second seat at Red Bull is becoming somewhat of a poisoned challis."

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6. Posted by KKK, 24/03/2025 13:12

"Im afraid Mr Marko doesnt care about the drivers, if your name isnt Verstappen, its your fault that you dont finish. All I would say to Liam, is keep trying, youre mno slouch! Its just as well you arent faster than Max, he would have you out of the team instantly !"

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7. Posted by kenji, 24/03/2025 12:56

"Whilst I would embrace a change over with Tsunoda for a couple of races to see how the 'cookie crumble' I very much doubt that it will occur. Far too radical...even for Red Bull."

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Lawson: Red Bull bosses to hold meeting

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