F1 news LIVE: Liam Lawson set for Red Bull axe with Yuki Tsunoda to step up for Japan GP

F1 NEWS - LATEST UPDATES

• NEW: Liam Lawson set to be dropped by Red Bull for Japan GP
• Yuki Tsunoda set to replace Lawson for his home race
• Christian Horner refused to rule out Lawson-Tsunoda swap on Sunday
• COMMENT: Lewis Hamilton’s shock disqualification tells us one thing: Ferrari have hit rock bottom

How has Lawson performed so far?

Australia: qualified 18th; DNF

China: qualified 20th for sprint, finished 15th; qualified 20th for race, finished 12th

Yuki Tsunoda on Red Bull seat:

“I appreciate what Zak said to me in the press, but it’s just one race,” Tsunoda said, when asked about McLaren boss Brown’s commenting that Tsunoda should have been given the Red Bull seat.

“These things have been going on since last year [after the] first race. Daniel-Checo, myself-Checo, Liam-Checo. It’s a bit of a tradition for our group.

“It’s positive but at the same time, I just have to keep [doing] what I’m doing.

“In the end, they chose this line-up last year at the end of the season. Maybe they have a clear plan for the future, I don’t know.”

What did Horner say when asked about Lawson's future?

“There’s always going to be speculation in the paddock,” Horner said, when asked whether Red Bull could make a change for Japan (4-6 April).

“I think everything is purely speculative at the moment. As I say, we’ve just finished this race, we’re going to take away the info and have a good look at it.”

MORE: Lawson set to be dropped

A meeting on Tuesday between senior Red Bull figures at the Dubai home of Red Bull major shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya has seemingly resulted in Lawson’s two-race stint coming to an end.

The move would see Lawson drop down to the sister team, Racing Bulls, and partner Isack Hadjar from race three onwards.

Lawson himself acknowledged in China that he did “not have time” on his side as he looked to turn around his form, but nonetheless, it is a huge shock just two races into a 24-race season.

NEW: Liam Lawson set to be dropped by Red Bull in shock F1 move – with Yuki Tsunoda to replace him

Liam Lawson is set to be dropLiam Lawson is set to be dropped by Red Bull after just two races of the 2025 F1 season – with Yuki Tsunoda in line to replace him for his home race in Japan next week.

New Zealand racer Lawson has endured a torrid opening two races as Max Verstappen’s teammate: he crashed out of the season-opening Australian GP and qualified last on the grid, twice, in China. He finished the grand prix in 12th, after three post-race disqualifications.

The writing looked somewhat on the wall on Sunday night when Red Bull team principal Christian Horner refused to rule out an early-season swap, with Racing Bulls driver Tsunoda the obvious candidate to step up.

Now, it seems inevitable that Tsunoda, 24, will indeed swap spots with Lawson for the grand prix in Suzuka next week. While nothing is confirmed from Red Bull yet, The Independent understands an official announcement is expected later this week, with details still to be ironed out.

Liam Lawson sends firm message to Red Bull rival Yuki Tsunoda: ‘He’s had his time’

“If I look back over our career, I was team-mates with him in F3 and I beat him,” Lawson told The Telegraph.

“In Euro Formula I was team-mates with him in New Zealand, and I beat him there. And then in F1 last season, I think honestly, if I look at all the times he got promoted instead of me in those early years, then no.

“He’s had his time. Now it’s my time.”

Lando Norris admits McLaren ‘nervous’ over potential F1 title scrap with Oscar Piastri

Lando Norris has admitted his McLaren team will be “nervous” about the prospect of him going head-to-head with team-mate Oscar Piastri for the world championship.

Norris, 25, and Piastri, 23, both have one victory each after the opening two rounds of the new Formula One season with McLaren holding an early advantage over their rivals.

The British team, bidding to deliver their first world champion since Lewis Hamilton claimed his maiden crown back in 2008, have said their drivers are free to race each other.

Norris admits McLaren ‘nervous’ over potential F1 title scrap with Piastri

Ralf Schumacher on Lawson-Tsunoda Red Bull swap:

Strong quotes from Ralf Schumacher to Sky Germany after the Chinese GP:

"I've checked it, too, and indeed: Liam Lawson is already out, out of Red Bull for the next race, and Tsunoda will replace him. That's not entirely confirmed yet, but it probably will be.

“It's unbelievable [...] unbelievably bad from a management perspective.

“I don't understand it at all when you destabilise a good team – Racing Bulls – who are finally doing well with both drivers, and you risk burning out Tsunoda [...] and Lawson then goes back to Racing Bulls and now he'll rebuild there, but it's complete chaos at Red Bull."

Ferrari boss slams F1’s ‘joke’ radio broadcast of Hamilton-Leclerc swap in China

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur took aim at Formula One’s “joke” broadcast of the Chinese Grand Prix as he accused the sport of deliberately creating a show when Lewis Hamilton offered to move aside for Charles Leclerc.

Vasseur was speaking before both Hamilton and Leclerc were disqualified from fifth and sixth places for illegalities on their cars. Hamilton’s floor ran too close to the ground, while Leclerc’s machine was underweight.

In the race, Hamilton volunteered to allow team-mate Leclerc through for fifth as he struggled for speed. However, Hamilton’s radio message was not shown on the international feed.

Full story below:

Hamilton’s shock DSQ tells us one thing: Ferrari have already hit rock bottom

Liam Lawson painfully honest after torrid start to Red Bull F1 career: ‘It’s just not good enough’

Liam Lawson did not make any excuses as he reflected on a torrid start to his Red Bull F1 career at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Kiwi driver, promoted to be Max Verstappen’s teammate this year as he replaced Sergio Perez, crashed out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in wet conditions last week

Lawson qualified dead last for the sprint race on Saturday – though moved up to finish 14th – but did not improve his one-lap pace in grand prix qualifying, finishing last once more.

Full quotes below:

Lawson painfully honest after torrid start to Red Bull F1 career: ‘Not good enough’

FULL STORY: Christian Horner refuses to rule out Yuki Tsunoda replacing Liam Lawson at Red Bull

Christian Horner did not dismiss speculation that Yuki Tsunoda could replace under-fire Liam Lawson at Red Bull for the next F1 race in Japan.

Lawson has endured a torrid opening two races as Max Verstappen’s teammate: he crashed out of the season-opening Australian GP and qualified last on the grid, twice, in China.

The New Zealander himself acknowledged he does “not have time” on his hands to turn around his form, while various outlets reported post-race in Shanghai that Red Bull were considering a shock swap for the Japanese Grand Prix, with Racing Bulls driver Tsunoda in line to replace Lawson.

Full quotes below:

Christian Horner refuses to rule out Yuki Tsunoda replacing Liam Lawson at Red Bull

FERRARI STATEMENT ON DSQs

“Following the FIA post-race scrutineering both our cars were found not to conform to the regulations for different reasons.

“Car 16 was found to be underweight by 1 kg and car 44’s rearward skid wear was found to be 0.5mm below the limit.

“Charles was on a one-stop strategy today and this meant his tyre wear was very high, causing the car to be underweight.

“With regard to Lewis’ skid wear, we misjudged the consumption by a small margin.

“There was no intention to gain any advantage. We will learn from what happened today and make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again.

“Clearly it’s not the way we wanted to end our Chinese GP weekend, neither for ourselves, nor for our fans whose support for us is unwavering.”

Lewis Hamilton, after finishing sixth:

Hamilton spoke prior to news of his DSQ:

On two-stop strategy: “I’m glad that we tried something, I was struggling with performance.

“Ultimately we had a pretty decent car in the sprint, we made some changes and made it worse. Lots to learn, the pit stop is too long here and they were still going fast at the end, Verstappen was doing the same times as me and I had fresher tyres, it wasn’t great.”

On changes post-sprint: “We made it quite a bit worse, I hadn’t tested it, we both went that way and it was bad.

“I know not to do that again.”

Liam Lawson painfully honest after torrid start to Red Bull F1 career: ‘It’s just not good enough’

Liam Lawson did not make any excuses as he reflected on a torrid start to his Red Bull F1 career at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Kiwi driver, promoted to be Max Verstappen’s teammate this year as he replaced Sergio Perez, crashed out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in wet conditions last week

Yet this weekend in Shanghai has been even worse, so far. Lawson qualified dead last for the sprint race on Saturday – though moved up to finish 14th – but did not improve his one-lap pace in grand prix qualifying, finishing last once more.

Full quotes below:

Lawson painfully honest after torrid start to Red Bull F1 career: ‘Not good enough’

NEW TOP-10 - CHINESE GP

As a result of Hamilton (6th), Leclerc (5th) and Gasly’s (11th) DSQ - here is the new top-10:

1. Oscar Piastri

2. Lando Norris

3. George Russell

4. Max Verstappen

5. Esteban Ocon

6. Kimi Antonelli

7. Alex Albon

8. Ollie Bearman

9. Lance Stroll

10. Carlos Sainz

EXPLAINER; Why was Lewis Hamilton disqualified from Chinese Grand Prix?

Lewis Hamilton’s rollercoaster start to life at Ferrari continued as he was dramatically disqualified after the conclusion of the Chinese Grand Prix.

After the highs of Saturday’s victory in the sprint race, having shockingly qualified on pole the previous day, Hamilton’s weekend took a downward turn come Sunday’s full race.

Having made contact with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc on the opening lap, causing damage to the Monegasque’s front wing, the Brit struggled for pace around the Shanghai racetrack – resorting to a two-stop strategy in the desperate hope that fresh tyres would help him find some extra speed.

That turned out to be a forlorn hope however, as he eventually crossed the line in sixth, one spot behind Leclerc and well off the pace of dominant McLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris up front, who sealed a one-two.

Things then got worse for the seven-time world champion as he was disqualified after the race, seeing the eight points wiped from his championship tally. It was an incredibly busy post-race period for the stewards and F1 officials as Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly were also disqualified alongside Hamilton.

Here’s everything you need to know about the disqualifications:

Why was Lewis Hamilton disqualified from Chinese Grand Prix?

Max Verstappen after finishing fourth:

“We set out to do our own pace, the tyres were in a decent shape when we pitted but it’s not how we want to race. A lot to analyse I think, the second stint was more positive and promising.

“I try to do the best I can, not thinking about anything else. Feel good in life in general, that’s what matters the most.”

Rock-and-roll Eddie Jordan gave Schumacher his debut – and his flamboyance captivated F1’s paddock

An old-school Irishman of quick wit and vibrancy, Eddie Jordan was a Formula One figure whose influence touched every corner of motorsport’s most-famed paddock throughout a career in the sport lasting over 30 years.

From a promising race driver and savvy team owner to a captivating broadcaster and erudite manager, Jordan’s sad passing at the age of 76 on Thursday, after a year-long battle with cancer, has sent shockwaves through a sport now in its pomp.

Full tribute below:

Rock-and-roll Eddie Jordan had an Irish flamboyance which captivated F1’s paddock

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur unhappy with 'joke' broadcast of Hamilton-Leclerc swap in China GP

“This is a joke from FOM (Formula One Management), because the first call came from Lewis to swap. Lewis suggested it.

“But to make the show, to create the mess around the situation, they did not broadcast the first part of the exchange. So I will discuss it with them.

“We have to work for the team and consider the best thing for Ferrari. The collaboration between the two guys (Hamilton and Leclerc) is mega and I cannot complain about it.”

EXPLAINER: Why was Lewis Hamilton disqualified from Chinese Grand Prix?

Why was Lewis Hamilton disqualified from Chinese Grand Prix?

F1 driver standings after the three DSQs

1. Lando Norris – 44 points

2. Max Verstappen – 36 points

3. George Russell – 35 points

4. Oscar Piastri – 34 points

5. Kimi Antonelli – 22 points

6. Alex Albon – 16 points

7. Esteban Ocon – 10 points

8. Lance Stroll – 10 points

9. Lewis Hamilton – 9 points

10. Charles Leclerc – 8 points

11. Nico Hulkenberg – 6 points

12. Yuki Tsunoda – 3 points

13. Ollie Bearman – 1 point

14. Carlos Sainz – 1 point

15. Pierre Gasly – 0 points

16. Isack Hadjar – 0 points

17. Jack Doohan – 0 points

18. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points

19. Yuki Tsunoda – 0 points

20. Fernando Alonso – 0 points

Charles Leclerc, speaking prior to DSQ:

On lap 1 clash with Hamilton: “Honestly, it’s not Lewis’s fault at all - I was around the inside trying to position the car for turn 3, Lewis didn’t know I was there - I didn’t think Lewis would come back to the apex.

“It’s a racing incident, it’s not the first or last time it will happen. Shame it happened between the two red cars.

“We didn’t want to take the eight seconds to change the wing, didn’t want to take that risk. I wanted to maximise the result, I think we did well.”

COMMENT: Lewis Hamilton’s shock disqualification tells us one thing: Ferrari have hit rock bottom

Twenty-four hours is a long time in Formula One. Just on Saturday, Lewis Hamilton was riding high, optimism radiating, after his first taste of victory in the famous Ferrari red, albeit in the shorter sprint format.

By Sunday night, long after dusk fell in Shanghai, the Briton and his beleaguered team had hit rock bottom.

Full piece below:

Hamilton’s shock DSQ tells us one thing: Ferrari have already hit rock bottom