On March 26, 2025, the Formula 1 world continues to buzz with unexpected developments as Red Bull called an emergency meeting at their Milton Keynes headquarters, amid rumors that Ferrari is contemplating a controversial decision: dropping one of their drivers following recent setbacks. Red Bull’s meeting is reportedly aimed at reassessing their strategy after a disappointing performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, while speculation about Ferrari’s potential lineup change has sparked heated debates within the F1 community.

Red Bull: Mounting Pressure After a Weak Start to the Season
After the first two races of the 2025 season, Red Bull finds itself under intense scrutiny as the RB21 has failed to meet expectations. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen, while still scoring points consistently, has openly admitted that his car currently ranks fourth in terms of pace, trailing McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Meanwhile, newcomer Liam Lawson, who replaced Sergio Perez at the end of 2024, has yet to score a single point, putting the team at a disadvantage in the Constructors’ Championship race.

The emergency meeting, confirmed by motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, is set to take place this week, involving team principal Christian Horner and top engineers. An insider source revealed that Red Bull is considering replacing Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda, who has been impressing at Racing Bulls—Red Bull’s sister team. Tsunoda has reached Q3 in both opening races and even started fifth in Australia, making him a strong candidate to “rescue” Red Bull from their current slump. A final decision is expected to be announced before the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.

Ferrari: Contemplating a Cut After Chinese Grand Prix Disaster
On the other side of the paddock, Ferrari is also in turmoil following a disastrous weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton, who recently joined from Mercedes, won the Sprint race on Saturday, raising hopes for the Scuderia. However, the joy was short-lived as both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the main Grand Prix results due to a technical violation—specifically, their cars failed to meet the minimum weight requirement. The blunder is believed to stem from a flawed one-stop strategy that caused excessive tire wear, plunging Ferrari into an embarrassing situation.

Italian media wasted no time lambasting the team, dubbing it a “disaster day” for Ferrari. Amid this chaos, rumors surfaced that Ferrari is weighing the option of axing one of their drivers to send a bold message of change. Despite Hamilton and Leclerc being marquee names, pressure from management and fans might force team principal Fred Vasseur into a drastic move. Some sources suggest Ferrari is even eyeing young talents like Oliver Bearman, who impressed when he substituted for Carlos Sainz last year.

F1 Community Reactions
The F1 fanbase and experts are abuzz with opinions on these developments. On social media, hashtags #RedBullCrisis and #FerrariDrama quickly climbed to trending status. One X user wrote, “Red Bull dropping Lawson after two races is harsh, but Ferrari axing Hamilton or Leclerc would be insane!” Another commented, “F1 2025 is turning into a drama series like never before.”

Pundits have offered mixed takes. Former driver Martin Brundle believes Red Bull should be patient with Lawson, while Ferrari cutting a driver could be “a painful but necessary blow” to regain form. Conversely, Sky Sports analyst Bernie Collins warned that rash changes from either team could backfire.

What Lies Ahead
Red Bull’s emergency meeting and Ferrari’s potential decision mark a pivotal moment in the 2025 season. With the Japanese Grand Prix just days away, all eyes are on official announcements from Milton Keynes and Maranello. Can Red Bull turn their fortunes around, and what will Ferrari do to escape their crisis? Answers are imminent, but one thing is clear: F1 is entering a phase of high drama and unpredictability.