Verstappen criticizes Red Bull's early dismissal of Lawson from main team

Max Verstappen has publicly expressed his disagreement with Red Bull's decision to demote Liam Lawson back to Racing Bulls after just two races with the senior team in 2025, calling the move unfair and detrimental to a driver's career. The three-time world champion praised Lawson's resilience in bouncing back to score 38 points for the season, while noting that replacement Yuki Tsunoda struggled in the same seat.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's criticism highlights a contentious driver management strategy within the Red Bull system, which is known for its high-pressure environment and rapid personnel changes. A driver's brief stint in a top team can define their career trajectory, and premature dismissal can severely limit future opportunities, raising questions about the support and development given to promising talents within the junior program.

The details:

• Verstappen stated he "did not agree" with the timing of the decision, arguing that "two races are far too early" to judge a driver's potential at a top team and that such a move "ends up ruining someone’s chance."
• Despite a challenging start, Lawson demonstrated strong recovery at Racing Bulls, finishing the season with 38 points and P14 in the championship.
• In contrast, Yuki Tsunoda, who replaced Lawson at Red Bull, managed only 33 points and finished P17, with Verstappen acknowledging "it shows that it was tough" for the Japanese driver.

The big picture:

This incident underscores the intense pressure and short leashes for drivers at Red Bull Racing, a team that demands immediate performance. While the system has produced stars like Verstappen, it has also seen several drivers cycled through quickly. Verstappen's rare public dissent suggests internal debate over the philosophy of evaluating and promoting talent, balancing immediate results against long-term driver development.

Looking ahead:

Lawson's ability to recover and score points solidifies his standing as a capable F1 driver, but the early demotion may impact his prospects for another promotion. The performance gap between him and Tsunoda in the same machinery will be a key data point for Red Bull's future driver decisions. Verstappen's comments may prompt the team to re-evaluate its process for giving junior drivers a fair shot at the top seat, especially as it looks to secure a competitive lineup for the coming seasons.