F1 world champion Max Verstappen is unhappy with the potential replacement of Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda by his teammate Liam Lawson for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Ahead of the new season, Red Bull sparked much debate by promoting Lawson over the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda.

After just 11 Grand Prix starts over two spells between 2023 and 2024, the New Zealander replaced Sergio Pérez, while Tsunoda, with an excellent reputation, remained with sister team Racing Bulls.

However, after receiving a vote of confidence, Lawson has yet to score a single point for Red Bull this season. He crashed out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix before finishing 12th in Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Tsunoda has been linked with a promotion to Red Bull. In fact, a report from an F1 insider claims that Tsunoda will swap places with Lawson at his home race in Japan next month.

That same report also provided a fascinating perspective on the proposed exchange.

Lawson’s current teammate, Max Verstappen, is said to be unhappy with the turn of events, although his feelings are not specifically related to Tsunoda’s promotion from the Racing Bulls team.

“The Dutchman believes engineers have a duty to build a racing car that can be pushed to its limits by more than just the four-time world champion,” the report adds.

Verstappen is also concerned that such a rapid descent by Lawson could ruin his race.

On Monday morning, it emerged that Red Bull is seriously considering swapping Lawson and Tsunoda for the Japanese Grand Prix, according to Sky Sports.

Sky commentator Ralf Schumacher, meanwhile, claims that the transfer of Lawson and Tsunoda is on the cards, after criticizing Red Bull’s management.

“Liam Lawson is already ruled out for the next race,” he declared on Monday. Tsunoda will replace him. It’s not yet fully confirmed, but it seems that way.

I have to say it’s incredible. From a management perspective, I also find it terribly bad.

I don’t understand it at all because it destabilizes the Racing Bulls team, which is finally in a good position with both drivers. Tsunoda is better, but he still has no chance against Max [Verstappen].

Schumacher added: “Lawson is returning to Racing Bulls now. He’ll have to rebuild there again. This is total chaos at Red Bull.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has also weighed in on Lawson’s poor start to life with the team.

“I think Liam still has potential, but right now we’re not realizing it. I think the problem for him is that he’s had a really tough couple of weekends and has the whole media behind him,” he said.

Pressure naturally mounts in this business, and I feel so sorry for him. It’s obvious he’s having a really hard time right now. He’s young, we have a responsibility to take care of him, and we’re going to do everything we can to support him.

Liam remains a very capable driver. We know that, for some reason, we don’t see him capable of the same level of performance right now.