Liam Lawson might wish that the Japanese Grand Prix was coming up this weekend rather than having a two-week break to reflect on the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Red Bull wanted to build a car that had a wider operating window this year but appear to have failed in that objective.
Max Verstappen already has a podium finish to his name but required torrential rain and a mistake from Oscar Piastri to finish P2 in Australia.
Martin Brundle found Verstappen’s pace at the end of the Chinese Grand Prix interesting as his performance seemed to improve throughout the race although he wasn’t ever in contention for a top-three finish.
In stark contrast, Liam Lawson couldn’t get to grips with his car and even after three disqualifications, he still wasn’t promoted into the points.
Verstappen believes Lawson would be better off at Racing Bulls given Red Bull’s sister team have built a car which is much easier to drive.
Brundle spotted something during the New Zealander’s performance at the Chinese Grand Prix that has left him worried for Lawson’s immediate future.
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Martin Brundle confused by Liam Lawson’s tyre management at the Chinese Grand Prix
The race in Shanghai was expected to be a two-stop strategy but it quickly became clear that a one-stopper was the best option.
Brundle questioned Pirelli’s decision to change the tyre pressures after the Sprint Race and discussed this further in his Sky Sports column.
He said: “It was expected to be a two-stop race, medium/hard/hard, for an optimum glorious victory.
“Three drivers in the second half of the field tried a contrary strategy, and why not, by starting on the hard tyres.
“The early signs were that this mystery tyre was working well but it was confusing as Liam Lawson pitted his Red Bull to park the hard tyres on Lap 18, Ollie Bearman in the Haas on Lap 26, and Lance Stroll in his Aston Martin got to Lap 36 of the scheduled 56 laps.
“There was some fairly desperate racing, blocking, and overtaking going on down the field, not least by Liam Lawson and Jack Doohan who are in many ways unfairly feeling exposed in their drives so early in the season. There could well be changes.”
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Liam Lawson facing an impossible situation after a difficult start to life at Red Bull
Red Bull are meeting ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix to discuss the car’s performance and Lawson’s immediate future.
Verstappen is working hard behind the scenes to try and help Red Bull figure out why the car isn’t as fast as McLaren’s machine and is so much more difficult to drive.
Max recovers to finish P4. After starting from the pit lane, Liam finishes P15.
Result 🏁 PIA, NOR, RUS, Max P4, LEC, HAM, OCO, ANT, ALB, BEA. Liam P15.#F1 || #ChineseGP 🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/rJTdMZmjam
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 23, 2025
He believes that the RB21 should have a wider operating window to help whoever his teammate is going forward.
As Brundle suggested, Lawson could be in danger and his approach to defending in China highlighted the desperate situation he’s in.
Red Bull have no clear plans to change their car just yet but whether they give Lawson enough time to try and adapt to the RB21 is looking less and less likely.
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