Paddock sources are casting doubt on widespread claims that Liam Lawson may have already completed his final outing in Red Bull's 2025 car.
As the Shanghai weekend wrapped up, even credible outlets suggested that Max Verstappen's faltering teammate could be swapped out for Yuki Tsunoda at Suzuka.
One observer noted Dr Helmut Marko lingering in the Alpine garage, sparking talk that Franco Colapinto might step into Tsunoda's seat at Racing Bulls.
That scenario appears improbable, however, with Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore clearly intent on slotting Colapinto into Jack Doohan's struggling rookie position sooner rather than later.
"Doohan and Briatore is a forced marriage," former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher remarked to Sky Deutschland. "I don't get the feeling Flavio thinks much of him.
"He (Doohan) hasn't covered himself in glory so far and has made a lot of mistakes. I think his days at Alpine are numbered."
Regarding Lawson's supposed Red Bull exit, knowledgeable figures are also sceptical it's imminent.
"I do believe that he will get a few more races," ex-Haas team boss Gunther Steiner told RTL, "although at some point you have to conclude that it just isn't working.
"Lawson drove good races last year, and two years ago as well, but in a team with Max Verstappen it apparently doesn't work."
Former F1 racer Christijan Albers agrees, arguing that Red Bull would err by ousting Lawson before he tackles a familiar circuit.
"Helmut Marko should be fully supporting his drivers," he told Viaplay. "And it doesn't matter anyway—let him drive in Japan first!
"Then you can really assess him and decide that he is broken after that, or that on the other hand he does reasonably well there and is gaining confidence. But not now," Albers added.
The 23-year-old Lawson himself may have unintentionally fuelled the exit chatter by repeatedly stating in China that he doesn't have "time" to improve.
"I meant we are already in the season and I don't have time to test the car," said the New Zealander. "We're in the season and with each race we are losing points.
"That's what I meant when I said I don't have time. But I'm not stupid and I understand that I'm here to deliver. And if I don't, I won't be here."
Lawson remains optimistic about lining up alongside Verstappen at Suzuka. "Fortunately, we're going to be racing on a track that I know and like," he added. body check tags ::
