Red Bull deliver update on possible driver change

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that a second driver change is not set to take place, despite Yuki Tsunoda's ongoing struggles alongside Max Verstappen since replacing a "completely exhausted" Liam Lawson.

Tsunoda swapped seats with Lawson after the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this year, but has failed to deliver strong performances for the Milton Keynes-based outfit. 

In nine grands prix for Red Bull, Tsunoda has scored just seven points, whilst he has also been eliminated in Q1 in three of the last five races. 

As a result, the Japanese driver has found himself increasingly under the media spotlight, especially with Isack Hadjar having proven to be a star for Racing Bulls. 

Lawson also delivered his best-ever F1 result in the Austrian Grand Prix – sixth place – whereas Tsunoda finished in 16th.

Despite Tsunoda's issues though, Marko has ruled out a driver change and a promotion back to Red Bull for Lawson.

"A driver change doesn’t make sense,” Marko told Sky DE, before insisting dropping Lawson was correct, "Absolutely, because Lawson was also completely exhausted. 

"He needed a few races to recover, now he has defended a sixth place brilliantly against Fernando Alonso with a one-stopper. I think he would not have stayed on his feet next to Max either."

By ruling out a second driver change, it is a sign of belief in Tsunoda by Red Bull's senior figures.

Marko pinpoints Tsunoda's struggles down to a lack of confidence, particularly when the pressure increases.

"Yuki lacks self-confidence," said Marko. "We have to think about how we can stabilise him so that he performs throughout the weekend, which he partly shows in free practice.

"He had that dangerous crash in Imola. It is now a sum of negative events, but the speed is there. We see that in the practice sessions, but when the pressure is on, that changes."