Formula 1 continues its season this weekend in China, following the start in Australia.

With only one Grand Prix, two qualifying sessions, and a sprint race⁣ completed, it’s⁤ too early to predict who will win the driver’s championship. However, initial performance trends are emerging.

How Long Will red Bull Remain Patient?

Nico Hülkenberg, 37, is a⁣ positive surprise from a⁣ German perspective. After finishing seventh⁢ in Australia, he qualified twelfth in China, respectable ⁤results considering Sauber’s technical disadvantages.

At the top, a four-way ⁣battle for the title‍ seems to be forming: Lando ⁣Norris, 25, (mclaren), winner in Australia, Max Verstappen, 27, (Red Bull), George Russell, 27, (Mercedes), and Oscar Piastri, 23, ⁣(McLaren) appear to be pulling away from the rest of the field.

The biggest disappointment of ⁢the young season is⁣ Liam Lawson, 23. The teammate of Max Verstappen is underperforming. The⁤ rookie took over the seat ‍from Sergio Pérez, 35, because Pérez couldn’t keep up ‍with Verstappen. Last season, Pérez finished eighth in the driver standings with⁤ 152 points,⁤ between former world champions ‍Lewis Hamilton, 40, and Fernando Alonso, 43.

Lawson can only ⁢dream of such results.His start has been disastrous: 18th place in Australian qualifying, an unneeded accident ⁤in the race, last place⁣ in the sprint qualifying in⁣ China, 14th⁤ place in the sprint, and 20th and last place in qualifying for the ⁤Grand Prix. Lawson, who started with high expectations, has lost considerable‍ credit within a week.

The young New ⁢Zealander⁤ is frustrated. It’s very, very tough. I still have to sort out a lot of things myself. It’s just frustrating. I really don’t know how else to say it, it’s just not good enough. Unfortunately, I ⁣don’t have the time, but ⁣that’s the way it is indeed, he said after the recent⁣ disappointment in chinese qualifying.

Lawson,who replaced Daniel Ricciardo,35,a two-time World Championship third-place finisher,in the second Red Bull team,the Racing Bulls,last season,is already under pressure before ‍the ‍second race of the season. Red Bull might soon lose confidence in him.He should⁤ heed the words of Motorsport Director Helmut Marko, 81.

Marko’s comments in a Sky interview should be a wake-up call for Lawson: It’s not what we expected. We will analyze⁢ this calmly. We are well-positioned, with⁢ several⁣ drivers behind‍ him who are recommending themselves.

This doesn’t sound like a vote of confidence. When asked if a change during the season was ⁤out of the question, Marko‍ replied: Formula⁤ 1 is a performance sport.

Jacques Villeneuve, ⁣53, a former world champion, also offered a⁣ bleak assessment on F1TV: At the moment, it’s worse than with Pérez. Red Bull is not the team to have a bad weekend. Helmut Marko puts his drivers under massive pressure. He expects mental ⁤strength,⁤ and if ⁢you can’t handle it, he’ll sort you out.

Rumors are‍ circulating in the pit⁢ lane about who could replace Lawson at Red Bull.⁤ One name that is frequently mentioned is Yuki Tsunoda,⁢ 24. The japanese ⁢driver currently drives for the Racing⁢ Bulls, fitting Marko’s requirements.