Red Bull will support struggling Liam Lawson as best they can, team boss Christian Horner said after the New Zealander drew a blank for the second race in a row in China on Sunday with questions being asked about his Formula One future.

Red Bull have been criticised for putting Liam Lawson into their second car instead of signing Carlos Sainz. Sainz was the key to last year’s driver market when he became available after Lewis Hamilton took his Ferrari driver. Despite opportunities at Red Bull and Mercedes, both overlooked Sainz who instead went to Williams.

Liam Lawson will be demoted to Racing Bulls for the third race of the season in Japan next week, with Yuki Tsunoda moving in the opposite direction to be Max Verstappen’s team-mate at the senior Red Bull team.