In an end-of-season interview with Viaplay, Max Verstappen returned to the rapid dismissal of Liam Lawson, who was his teammate at the start of the season at Red Bull.
A year ago, Red Bull announced with great fanfare the promotion of Liam Lawson as starting driver in 2025 alongside Max Verstappen, a few weeks after the dismissal of Sergio Perez. The 23-year-old New Zealander had just scored 4 points in 6 Grands Prix with the Racing Bulls satellite team, where he had replaced Daniel Ricciardo.
But after a retirement in Australia and a 12th place in China, Liam Lawson was asked to return to Racing Bulls and Yuki Tsunoda (25) went the other way. A choice which did not pay off, since the Japanese brought 33 points (no podium, seven places in the Top 10) to Red Bull, compared to 421 for his glorious teammate.
Verstappen: “Two races is way too early to make a decision”
In his end-of-season interview with ViaplayMax Verstappen reversed this decision to quickly part ways with Lawson, saying that there was probably no point in it. “Two races for a teammate, obviously I didn’t agree with that at the time. Because in the end, someone gives up their chance… yes, then you waste (that chance) in a top team. I must say that Liam performed well at Racing Bulls (38 pts scored, editor’s note). We could also have said: “Forget it, I don’t care”, but two races is way too early to make a decision. »
2026, the right time to change?
While he will have Isack Hadjar as his teammate next season, since Red Bull once again wanted to change driver number 2, Verstappen believes this time that it was the right time. “Yes, it’s very different, of course. New car, new regulations, so in that regard I think it’s the right time to take over. »
The Dutchman, however, warns: “If I were the boss of the team myself, I would always appoint a clearly identified number one and number two. But of course, a number two who still scores enough points to claim the constructors’ title. But an undeniable number one and number two. » The young Frenchman will be No. 2 and will have to hold his place.
