Helmut Marko has confirmed that Red Bull will hold an emergency meeting in the coming week.
It comes following their indifferent start to the 2025 season, with Max Verstappen placing fourth in Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix, while his team-mate Liam Lawson slumped to 15th in the standings.
Speculation is continuing to swirl around the New Zealander’s future with the side, with reports from Motorsport.com claiming that he is at risk of being swapped out for Yuki Tsunoda as soon as the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6.
Lawson crashed out on lap 46 as the slippery conditions in Melbourne took their toll on multiple drivers in the opening race of the season.
The Kiwi star had also qualified 18th in Australia and again struggled to post a fast lap time in Shanghai this weekend, finishing bottom in qualifying in China.
It appears Red Bull bosses are now growing increasingly concerned by their side’s form, with Red Bull advisor Marko telling Sky DE that they will sit down for a meeting this week.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has stated the team will hold an emergency meeting this week
It comes as Liam Lawson’s place in the side is reportedly at risk, following his indifferent start to the 2025 season
Lawson slumped to finish 15th in the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, after crashing out in Melbourne last weekend
‘This week there is a meeting in Milton Keynes to discuss when and how we can close the gap,’ he told Sky DE.
‘Until then, it’s about scoring as many points as possible.
‘We are worried but it is not like we are throwing in the towel.’
Lawson, 23, meanwhile, opened up on what he needs to improve.
‘It’s just really tough, honestly,’ he told, Sky Sports F1. ‘I think the window’s really small – I mean, that’s known – but honestly, it’s not an excuse.’
Pressed on what he must do to improve, he said: ‘It’s just time. Unfortunately, I don’t really have time.’
Tsunoda has also spoken out on whether he’d be ready to step in should the team opt to remove Lawson from his seat ahead of Japan.
‘Yeah 100 per cent,’ he said. ‘I mean, the Red Bull car is faster.’
Some reports claim that Lawson’s (pictured) position is now under threat, with Red Bull set to offer his seat to Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda
Marko (right, stood with Christian Horner) added that bosses at the side were ‘worried’ by Lawson’s form
Tsunoda is competing in his fifth season in Formula One, racing with Red Bull’s feeder side
Despite doubts over his future, Christian Horner was insistent that they are continuing to support Lawson.
‘We know there’s performance we need to find, and we need both drivers up there if there’s to be any chance of fighting for a Constructors’ Championship,’ Horner said.
‘And at the very least, with the Drivers’ Championship as well, you need to have a second car in play.
‘So, we want, as a team, collectively, to make sure that we’re getting the best out of both drivers and getting both cars as far up the grid as we can.
‘Formula 1 is a pressure business, isn’t it? There’s always time pressure. He [Lawson] knows that, and hopefully, he’ll respond accordingly. We’ll see where we go.’
Lawson debuted as a reserve driver at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix for AlphaTauri, replacing Daniel Ricciardo.
He would later go on to replace Ricciardo before being again promoted ahead of the 2025 season to succeed former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.
