Max Verstappen voices Red Bull opposition over Liam Lawson D…read more
Max Verstappen has spoken candidly about his disagreement with Red Bull’s decision to drop Liam Lawson after just two races in the 2025 Formula 1 season, suggesting the move unfairly damaged the young driver’s opportunity at the top level.
Lawson was promoted to Red Bull Racing ahead of the 2025 campaign after the team decided to part ways with Sergio Perez. Despite having only 11 grands prix to his name, the New Zealander was given the chance to partner Verstappen, having impressed during his substitute appearances for Racing Bulls in previous seasons. However, that opportunity proved brutally short-lived.
After difficult weekends at the opening two races of the season in Australia and China, Red Bull opted to demote Lawson back to Racing Bulls, replacing him with Yuki Tsunoda. The decision came amid a challenging start to the year for Red Bull, with the RB21 proving difficult to extract consistent performance from, even for experienced drivers.
Verstappen, speaking to Viaplay, admitted he did not agree with the call at the time and felt Lawson had not been given a fair chance to show his potential.
“In the end, not that much,” Verstappen said when asked how much influence he had over the decision. “But two races as a team-mate, I didn’t agree with that at the time.”
The reigning world champion pointed out that Lawson was thrown into the deep end at two circuits he had never raced on in Formula 1. Albert Park and the Shanghai International Circuit both present unique challenges, and Verstappen argued that judging a young driver so quickly, especially in an unstable car, was unreasonable.
“You kill someone’s chance at a top team,” Verstappen said bluntly. “Two races is way too early to make a choice.”
Red Bull’s RB21 has been widely described as a demanding car, particularly at the start of the season. Even Verstappen acknowledged that the car required a very specific driving style to unlock its performance, making it even harder for a newcomer to adapt quickly. In that context, Lawson’s struggles were hardly unexpected.
Despite his abrupt demotion, Verstappen praised Lawson for the way he handled the setback. Returning to Racing Bulls, Lawson regrouped and delivered strong performances, re-establishing himself as a leading figure within the junior outfit.
“I have to say that Liam did recover well at Racing Bulls,” Verstappen added, highlighting the resilience shown by the young driver after what could have been a confidence-shattering experience.
Lawson’s return to Racing Bulls has since been framed as a reset rather than a failure. He is expected to lead the team next season, partnering highly rated rookie Arvid Lindblad, and remains firmly in Red Bull’s long-term plans. Nonetheless, the episode has reignited debate over Red Bull’s driver management philosophy, which has often been criticised for its ruthlessness.
The team has a long history of making swift and unforgiving decisions when drivers fail to meet expectations immediately. While that approach has produced multiple world champions, including Verstappen himself, it has also left several talented drivers sidelined before they had time to fully develop.
Verstappen’s comments are notable because he rarely publicly questions Red Bull’s internal decisions. His defence of Lawson suggests a growing awareness of how difficult the modern Formula 1 environment can be for young drivers, especially when they are placed under instant pressure to perform at a championship-winning team.
“You can also say: ‘Leave it all be,’” Verstappen added, reinforcing his belief that patience would have been the better option. “But two races is way too early.”
In the end, Red Bull moved forward with Tsunoda, while Lawson was forced to rebuild away from the spotlight. Although Lawson has responded positively, Verstappen’s remarks underline a broader concern within the paddock: that talent alone is not always enough if drivers are not given time to grow.
For Lawson, the hope remains that his recovery at Racing Bulls will eventually earn him another shot at the top. For Red Bull, Verstappen’s words serve as a reminder that even success-driven teams must balance ambition with patience — or risk cutting short the careers of drivers who may yet have much more to offer.
