Jos Verstappen has drawn on his own experiences in Formula 1 to advise Liam Lawson not to attempt “to keep up with Max at all costs” when he debuts with Red Bull.
Lawson has been selected to partner Verstappen at Red Bull amid the team’s decision to cut ties with Sergio Perez, who endured a dismal season last time around.
The New Zealander’s promotion comes despite having less than a dozen starts to his name with Red Bull’s sister squad, now known as Racing Bulls, across two spells.
However, Red Bull explained that it elected to overlook the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda due to Lawson’s mental strength making him better suited to handle the step.
The second seat at Red Bull has become renowned as a poisoned chalice since Daniel Ricciardo departed in 2018, with Perez the third driver to be dropped since then.
Verstappen Sr has echoed Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko in urging Lawson not to approach his coveted chance with Red Bull bidding to defeat the reigning F1 champion.
The Dutchman has recalled how such a mindset hampered his own F1 prospects as his credence that he could beat Michael Schumacher as a rookie proved his undoing.
Asked what advice he would lend to Lawson, Verstappen Sr told F1 Insider: “That he should not make the mistake I made at Benetton in 1994: trying to keep up with Max at all costs.
“He should do his own thing.
“Hopefully he has a similar driving style to Max, then they can improve the car together.”
Lawson aiming to support Red Bull’s bid in 2025
Lawson has appeared to heed the warnings he has been given as he revealed his initial focus will be on supporting Verstappen to help Red Bull regain the Constructors’ title.
Questioned on his goal on Red Bull’s Talking Bulls podcast, Lawson expressed: I mean, obviously, as Formula 1 drivers, we all have one goal that we share, and that’s winning a world championship. So that is my goal. And that’s been my goal since I was a kid and wanted to be a Formula 1 driver. And obviously now I’m in a great position.
“So it’s definitely not what I expect coming in. I don’t expect to come in and go straight away and win a World Championship.
“I know that, you know, the team’s goal is obviously the Constructors’. And that’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to help achieve that.
“But obviously, personally, for me, it’s trying to be in a competitive position as quickly as possible. Obviously, I’ve got the best guy as my team-mate to learn from.”
Lawson reveals prior Verstappen relationship
Lawson time’s with Red Bull on race weekends has helped him to build up a rapport with Verstappen, revealing how his new team-mate helped him on his F1 debut.
“I think Max is somebody that just loves motorsport and watches a lot of it,” Lawson explained. “And yeah, so he’s somebody that has always been kind and supportive when I came in last year as a reserve. You know, when I was obviously feeling a lot of pressure in Zandvoort [in 2023], he was somebody that was really good to talk to.
“It’s cool to go up against him and have him as a team-mate. There’s nobody better to learn from. So for me, it’s coming in, trying to be competitive as quickly as possible.”
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