Max Verstappen has admitted that he didn’t agree with Red Bull’s decision to instigate a driver swap two rounds into the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Lawson commenced the campaign alongside Verstappen at Red Bull, having been chosen over Yuki Tsunoda to replace the ousted Sergio Perez.
However, a wretched opening two weekends in Australia and China prompted Lawson to be demoted back to Racing Bulls, with Tsunoda taking his place.
Verstappen expressed at the time that he didn’t support the choice, a view he has doubled down on with Tsunoda enduring the same struggles as his predecessor.
Verstappen made it clear that situations like Lawson’s can leave lasting damage on rookies, citing that Red Bull’s call to make a change so soon was rash.
“Two races next to one team-mate, I didn’t agree with that at the time,” Verstappen told Viaplay. “In the end, you ruin someone’s chances with a top team.”
Despite the setback, Verstappen praised Lawson’s response. He highlighted the mental strength required to recover from such a blow so early in a career.
“I think Lawson has recovered well,” he continued. “He could also have thought: ‘Never mind, the fun is gone.’”
Verstappen debates Red Bull’s second-seat curse
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s decision to replace Lawson with Tsunoda did not yield the desired results.
The team, which has long suffered a ‘curse’ for their second seat, faced similar issues with Tsunoda. The Japanese driver managed just 30 points across the season.
Verstappen clarified that a lack of talent is never an issue amongst his team-mates. Rather, the various ways drivers adapt to the car and their different driving styles play a crucial role.
“They try to use my set-up,” Verstappen said. “But in the end, every driver has his own driving style.
“At some point, of course, you grow together, especially in the second half of the season. We often drove according to the same philosophy, but I had a little more understeer than Yuki.”
Verstappen ultimately believes that rookies should have more time to adjust to their surroundings in F1.
“In any case, two races is far too early to make a judgement,” he concluded.
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