It wouldn’t be the start of a Formula 1 season if a number of drivers weren’t already fighting for their careers.
Liam Lawson was only promoted to Red Bull during the winter break but after the Chinese Grand Prix, he may be preparing for an immediate demotion.
Red Bull confirmed Sergio Perez’s exit after the final race of 2024 and despite Yuki Tsunoda being more experienced, Lawson was team principal Christian Horner’s chosen replacement.
However, the start of the 2025 campaign couldn’t have been any worse for Lawson after failing to score a point thus far and qualifying last for both the Sprint Race and the Grand Prix in China.
Lawson can’t get to grips with the RB21, putting his immediate future on the grid under threat.
A seat swap between Lawson and Tsunoda looks likely ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix but another driver has entered the equation.
Franco Colapinto joined Alpine as a reserve driver from Williams during the winter break, but he’s now been linked with a return to the grid with Racing Bulls.
READ MORE: All to know about Racing Bulls from team principal to Red Bull affiliation
Franco Colapinto posts cryptic message after being linked with Racing Bulls seat
A report from Motorsport Espana has suggested that Lawson could be removed from the Red Bull team before the F1 circus reaches Suzuka.
They believe that Racing Bulls are planning on taking Colapinto from Alpine when Tsunoda is promoted, leaving Lawson without a race seat entirely.
Red Bull were linked with signing Colapinto last year when he was impressing at Williams after replacing Logan Sargeant.
The move never materialised after he had several big crashes at the end of the year, but Alpine saw enough in him to sign him on loan for the next two seasons.
Colapinto posted on Instagram after the race in Shanghai with the caption, “Better weekends are coming. Let’s keep working,” and while he could be talking about another pointless race for Alpine, it may also have a more personal meaning as well.
Jack Doohan’s Alpine seat isn’t guaranteed but Colapinto might have an even more immediate return to F1 if this move materialises.
That made Alpine take notice of him and sign him for 2025, but as they had already confirmed Jack Doohan, they could only give him the role of reserve driver.
Negotiations between Red Bull, Alpine and Williams wouldn’t be easy and journalist Thomas Maher doesn’t believe a move is going to materialise just yet, stating on social media: “Rumour mill running wild about RBR but what is known is that no decisions have yet been made about any potential driver changes.
“Yuki Tsunoda is not decided upon for Japan, while Franco Colapinto is understood to be nowhere near involved in any discussions.
“If any decisions are made, they’ll be made with cool and calm heads away from the immediate aftermath of this weekend.
“Expectation is no decisions will be made until race week for Suzuka.”
Rumour mill running wild about RBR but what is known is that no decisions have yet been made about any potential driver changes.
Yuki Tsunoda is not decided upon for Japan, while Franco Colapinto is understood to be nowhere near involved in any discussions. #F1
— Thomas Maher (@thomasmaheronf1) March 23, 2025
READ MORE: Who is Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto? Everything to know
Franco Colapinto needs to be patient with Formula 1 return looking more likely
Less than 12 months ago, Colapinto was a promising Formula 2 driver but hadn’t taken part in an F1 session before.
Fast forward to now and he’s been lined up to potentially race for Alpine after a spell with Williams and a third manufacturer is considering a move for the 21-year-old.
Karun Chandhok believes Colapinto’s arrival has created bad vibes at Alpine as he’s put too much pressure on Doohan.
Even if the Argentine does move on, Doohan isn’t in the clear yet with three more reserve drivers hoping to take his seat, including the highly-rated Paul Aron.
