Verstappen Criticises Red Bull’s Swift Driver Change After Lawson Axing
Max Verstappen has spoken out against Red Bull’s decision to drop Liam Lawson after just two races, describing the move as rushed and potentially damaging to a young driver’s career. The four-time Formula 1 world champion, who has seen several team-mates come and go during his tenure at the Milton Keynes-based outfit, made it clear that he did not support the call at the time it was made.
Over the past two seasons, Verstappen has partnered with four different drivers, earning a reputation—fairly or not—as a demanding benchmark within the team. Sergio Perez managed to survive alongside the Dutchman for several years, particularly during Red Bull’s dominant period, but his struggles became more pronounced when the team’s performance dipped in 2024. As a result, Perez was replaced by New Zealander Liam Lawson ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Lawson’s promotion was seen as a major opportunity, but it quickly unravelled. After failing to score points in the opening two races of the season, the rookie was removed from the Red Bull seat and sent back to Racing Bulls. Yuki Tsunoda was promoted in his place, starting from the Japanese Grand Prix, in a move that sparked debate across the paddock.
Speaking to Viaplay at the end of the 2025 season, Verstappen reflected on the situation and admitted he was uncomfortable with how quickly the decision was taken. He stressed that two races were not enough to fairly judge a driver’s potential at a top team.
“I didn’t agree with that at the time,” Verstappen said. “Giving someone just two races is not right. In the end, you’re destroying someone’s opportunity at a top team. That’s a huge moment in a driver’s career, and it deserves more patience.”
The reigning champion also pointed out the mental toll such a decision can have on a young driver. Being promoted to Red Bull is widely regarded as one of the toughest challenges in Formula 1, given the pressure of performing alongside Verstappen and in a car designed around his driving style.
Verstappen praised Lawson for the way he responded to the setback, noting that the New Zealander showed resilience rather than letting the disappointment derail his career. “Liam handled it well,” he added. “He could have easily thought, ‘This isn’t for me anymore,’ but instead he went back to Racing Bulls and rebuilt his confidence. Still, two races is far too early to make such a call.”
In hindsight, Lawson’s demotion may have worked in his favour. Back at Racing Bulls, he was given the freedom and support to rediscover his form. Over the course of the season, he delivered several impressive performances, including a standout fifth-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. That result underlined his potential and showed what he could achieve in a less pressurised environment.
Ironically, Lawson went on to outscore Tsunoda in the drivers’ standings by five points, despite losing the Red Bull seat to the Japanese driver earlier in the year. Tsunoda, meanwhile, struggled to make a significant impact at the senior team, failing to produce results that clearly justified the mid-season switch.
As the season drew to a close, Red Bull confirmed further changes to its driver lineup. Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it was announced that Isack Hadjar would replace Tsunoda for the 2026 season. Lawson will remain with Racing Bulls, where he is set to partner highly rated junior Arvid Lindblad. Tsunoda, despite his experience, has been reassigned to a test and reserve role.
The series of decisions has once again raised questions about Red Bull’s approach to driver management, particularly its willingness to make rapid changes at the top level. Verstappen’s comments suggest that even within the team, there were doubts about whether Lawson was given a fair chance to prove himself.
While Red Bull is known for its ruthless pursuit of success, Verstappen’s intervention highlights the fine balance between demanding results and nurturing talent. Lawson’s story ultimately became one of recovery rather than collapse, but the episode serves as a reminder of how quickly a Formula 1 career can be altered—and how important timing and patience can be at the sport’s highest level.
