Insider suggests 'a few more races' for Liam Lawson.

      Insiders are expressing skepticism over widespread speculations that Liam Lawson has already driven Red Bull's 2025 car for the final time. As the Formula 1 weekend wrapped up in Shanghai, even reputable sources were asserting that Max Verstappen's underperforming new teammate might be replaced by Yuki Tsunoda for the Suzuka race. One insider spotted Dr. Helmut Marko in the Alpine garage, intensifying rumors that Franco Colapinto would take Tsunoda's place at Racing Bulls. This seems unlikely, considering Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore's evident intention to place Colapinto in the struggling rookie Jack Doohan's race seat sooner rather than later.

      "Doohan and Briatore is a forced marriage," commented former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher to Sky Deutschland. "I don’t get the sense that Flavio holds him in high regard. He (Doohan) hasn’t performed well so far and has made numerous mistakes. I believe his time at Alpine is limited."

      Regarding Lawson's potential exit from Red Bull, insiders are also doubtful about whether it will actually occur. "I believe he will get a few more races," said former Haas boss Gunther Steiner to RTL, "though at some stage, you have to conclude that it's just not working. Lawson performed well last year and the year before, but in a team with Max Verstappen, it seemingly hasn’t worked out."

      Former F1 driver Christijan Albers also thinks it would be a mistake for Red Bull to dismiss Lawson before he races at a venue he is familiar with. "Helmut Marko should be fully supporting his drivers," he told Viaplay. "And it doesn’t matter anyway - let him race in Japan first! Then you can truly evaluate him and determine if he is struggling, or if he does reasonably well and gains confidence. But not at this moment," Albers added.

      Lawson, 23, has unwittingly fueled the narrative of his potential dismissal by repeatedly stating in China that he lacks "time" to improve. "I meant we are already in the season and I don’t have the time to test the car," the New Zealander explained. "We’re in the season and with each race, we are losing points. That’s what I meant when I said I don’t have time. But I’m not foolish and I know I’m here to perform. And if I don’t, I won’t be here."

      Lawson also expressed optimism about remaining Verstappen’s teammate at Suzuka. "Fortunately, we’ll be racing at a track that I know and like," he added.