Red Bull are set to drop Liam Lawson after just two races and replace him for the next grand prix in Japan with Yuki Tsunoda.
The decision was reached by Red Bull bosses, including team principal Christian Horner, at a meeting in Dubai on Monday, insiders have told BBC Sport.
It is expected to be formally confirmed later this week by Red Bull, who refused to comment.
Red Bull have long been renowned for the ruthlessness with which they handle their young driver programme.
Even in that context, the way they have dealt with Lawson has caused widespread disbelief in Formula 1.
The move, first confirmed by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, comes after a dire start to Lawson’s Red Bull career.
The New Zealander qualified 18th at the opening race of the season in Australia, before crashing out of the race in the rain.
In China last weekend, he qualified last for both the sprint and the grand prix, and finished the two races 14th and 12th.
His average qualifying deficit to team-mate Max Verstappen has been 0.88 seconds. Verstappen finished second in Australia, third in the sprint in Shanghai and fourth in the Chinese Grand Prix.
Lawson will return to Red Bull’s second team, Racing Bulls, alongside French rookie Isack Hadjar.
Japanese driver Tsunoda was asked at the Chinese Grand Prix whether he would accept the promotion to Red Bull if it was offered.
He said: “Yeah, why not? Always. In Japan? Yeah, 100%. I mean, the car is faster.”