Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, has confirmed that the team is actively assessing Liam Lawson's performance after a challenging start to his tenure in Formula 1. As speculation swirls around the possibility of replacing Lawson with a more experienced driver, Red Bull is gathering extensive data to make an informed decision.

Since joining the Red Bull team, Lawson has struggled to make an impact. The Kiwi driver was eliminated in the first qualifying rounds in both Australia and China and has yet to score any points. Starting from the pit lane in both Grand Prix events, Lawson's performance in Shanghai, where he finished 15th after a disappointing strategy, raised eyebrows.

The team is reportedly considering various options and is closely monitoring Lawson's adaptation to the RB21, a car that, albeit not the fastest on the grid, has proven competitive in the hands of reigning world champion Max Verstappen. Horner sympathized with Lawson, acknowledging the intense pressure the rookie is under, especially as comparisons are drawn to experienced drivers like Sergio Perez, who has faced his own challenges in the past.

"We elected to make significant setup changes for Liam, gathering crucial data for our analysis," Horner explained. "We will do our utmost to support him, but we cannot ignore the current situation."

The upcoming Japanese Grand Prix presents an opportunity for potential change, particularly as Yuki Tsunoda, a driver from Red Bull's sister team AlphaTauri, has made it clear that he would be eager to step into the second car should the opportunity arise.

When questioned directly about the likelihood of a replacement before Japan, Horner remained noncommittal. "Speculation is always part of the paddock dynamics," he stated. “Let’s take our time to evaluate everything.”

Horner also refrained from confirming who might be in line for a possible seat swap. "It’s important to remember we’re just starting the season," he said. "Two races in, we have a lot to consider before making any rash decisions."

As discussions continue, the pressure is mounting on Lawson to find his rhythm in the RB21. Verstappen has expressed his belief that Lawson could potentially perform better in the more stable Racing Bulls car, hinting at the nuances in car handling that affect a driver's confidence.

Horner concluded with support for Lawson, emphasizing the driver's potential while acknowledging the hurdles he's currently facing. However, with every race that passes without improvements, fans and analysts alike are left wondering: will Lawson still be in the second seat when the teams arrive in Japan? Stay tuned as the drama unfolds!