Liam Lawson has explained that the Red Bull junior programme is "designed" to put young drivers "under pressure" in preparation for the harsh expectations of life in F1.
The New Zealander is fighting for not only his Racing Bulls seat, but also his career in the so-called pinnacle of motorsport.
As such, he has been subjected to routine questions over his future since being demoted from the main team back to the Faenza-based squad just two rounds into the current F1 season.
Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has publicly stated the joint team will not finalise its driver line-up for 2026 until after this weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, but Lawson maintains he has not been given a clear timeline for a decision.
The 23-year-old is in contention to keep his seat, with Yuki Tsunoda also battling to retain a full-time drive, either alongside Max Verstappen or at Racing Bulls.
Isack Hadjar's future has been confirmed, but it is unclear whether he will be promoted or stay put, with F2 driver Arvid Lindblad also under consideration.
When asked by media, including RacingNews365, what Marko expects from the cohort of drivers as a final call edges closer, Lawson replied: "He expects results [and] points from us, and that's about it."
As for how he is processing the rampant speculation surrounding him, the Racing Bulls driver pointed out that academy prospects at Red Bull are "exposed" to harsh scrutiny throughout their junior careers.
"It's my entire career in Formula 1 so far," he said. "Not that it's been very long, but that's how it's been.
"It's how I came into the sport last year," he added in reference to replacing Daniel Ricciardo after the Singapore Grand Prix in 2024.
"It's how things have always been, and it's something that we're exposed to from a young age in the junior programme; we're put under this pressure.
"We're always on a performance-based programme, and it's designed to put us under pressure. So it's nothing new, honestly."
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