Lawson reveals Verstappen's support after Red Bull demotion

Liam Lawson has opened up about the unexpected support he received from Max Verstappen following his swift and high-profile demotion from Red Bull Racing in 2025. The New Zealander, now settled at Racing Bulls for 2026, praised the reigning champion's character and willingness to help during a turbulent period in his career.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's mentorship role within the Red Bull ecosystem, often overshadowed by his on-track dominance, provides a rare glimpse into the team's internal dynamics. For a young driver like Lawson, navigating the immense pressure and scrutiny of a top seat, having the unequivocal backing of the team's star can be crucial for mental resilience and professional development, even after a setback.

The details:

• Lawson was promoted to Red Bull alongside Verstappen for 2025, replacing Sergio Perez, but was moved aside for Yuki Tsunoda after just two race weekends.
• On the Gypsy Tales Podcast, Lawson described Verstappen as "so, so nice as a person" and emphasized his consistent helpfulness.
  • "Before I came into the team... he was super nice and any questions, he was just helpful, really helpful," Lawson explained.
  • He noted Verstappen remained supportive even after the demotion, offering practical help like shared flights home from races.
• Lawson has retained his F1 seat with Red Bull's sister team, Racing Bulls, for 2026, where he will partner rookie Arvid Lindblad.
• Reflecting on pre-season testing in Bahrain, Lawson reported no major standout issues with the new car, describing its behavior as "a little bit inconsistent" but with positive findings in areas like braking.

What's next:

Lawson's focus is now firmly on establishing himself as a team leader at Racing Bulls and leveraging a full season of stability. His positive pre-season assessment suggests the team has a workable base to develop from, though he acknowledged the very different challenge posed by the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. How he performs with the weight of last year's experience—and Verstappen's endorsement—will be a key subplot to his 2026 campaign.