Max Verstappen was reportedly opposed to demoting Liam Lawson from the Red Bull Formula 1 squad ahead of Thursday’s announcement.
Verstappen was clear in his support for Lawson’s predecessor, Sergio Perez, in 2024, citing that the best course of action would be to fix Red Bull’s car trouble as a priority.
“I work with him every weekend, week in, week out. I find people have been very harsh on him,” the Dutchman said in December before Perez was let go.
“Of course, some weekends maybe could have been better, actually. But sometimes people have been very harsh on him because he’s not an idiot.
“He’s always been regarded as a great driver. It’s been tough, but it’s been tough for everyone in the team, because sometimes [the car] was very difficult to drive.”
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Lawson is no slouch either, but his inexperience compared to Perez proved costly, and two last-place finishes in Sprint and Grand Prix Qualifying in China were enough to prompt Red Bull to swap the New Zealander with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese GP.
The decision is fast and ruthless, even by Red Bull standards, and there is no guarantee Tsunoda will thrive where Lawson suffered in his brief two-round stint.
Verstappen, it would appear, was in favour of giving Lawson more time at Red Bull, with Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf writing earlier this week: “One can guess what Verstappen himself thinks of the decision of Red Bull’s management to victimise Lawson after only two races in favour of Tsunoda.
“The Limburger also disagrees with the team management’s decision to intervene so soon.”
Red Bull decision criticised
Red Bull’s decision to demote Lawson to Racing Bulls after two races has come in for some criticism, with former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde being particularly scathing.
Positing on Instagram, the Dutchman wrote: “I’m getting a bit tired of all the comments that F1 is the toughest sport in terms of performances and when you underdeliver, you’ve got to face the consequences.
“Yes, you’ve got to perform. Yes, the pressure is insane. But in my opinion this comes closer to bullying or a panic move than actual high athelete achievements.
“They [Red Bull] made a decision – fully aware – gave Liam two races only to crush his spirit.
“Don’t forget the dedication, hard work and success Liam has put in his career so far to achieve the level where he is now.
“I remember my own blood, sweat and tears – and that was to reach F1, let alone driving for an absolute top team.
“Yes [Lawson] has underperformed in the first two races, but if anyone is aware of that it’s himself.
“Perhaps he has suggested this himself, but if not, I wish Liam all the strength and courage to get to the grid in Japan.”
Van der Garde’s post has racked up over 14 thousand likes in a few hours, including some high-profile ones.
Former F1 presenter Will Buxton and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who was axed by Red Bull after 12 races in 2019, liked the post.
Verstappen’s account was also briefly seen liking the post, but has since been removed.
That adds to the narrative that the Dutchman was keen to support Lawson remaining at Red Bull, a decision the team felt it wasn’t prepared to commit to.
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