Verstappen criticizes Red Bull's 'ruthless' decision to demote Lawson after just two races
Max Verstappen has openly disapproved of Red Bull's decision to demote Liam Lawson after only two races in 2025, calling it premature and damaging. He argues such a swift move can ruin a young driver's top-team chances and highlights the added difficulty of adapting to a car built around his own driving style.
Max Verstappen has publicly criticized Red Bull's decision to demote Liam Lawson back to Racing Bulls after only two races in 2025, calling the move premature and damaging to a young driver's career. The reigning champion argues that such a swift judgment can leave lasting scars, undermining his team's reputation for driver management.
Why it matters:
Verstappen's candid critique from within the team highlights a significant internal tension regarding Red Bull's famously cutthroat approach to its driver program. As the team's star and leader, his disapproval challenges the decision-making of senior figures like Helmut Marko and puts a spotlight on whether the team's hunger for immediate performance is harming long-term talent development and team stability.
The details:
- Verstappen stated he "didn't agree with that at the time" and believes "you ruin someone’s chances with a top team" by making a judgment after just two race weekends.
- The demotion followed Lawson's difficult debut races in Australia and China, after he was promoted over Yuki Tsunoda at the start of the season.
- Verstappen praised Lawson's resilience in handling the public setback, noting the New Zealander "has recovered well" from a blow that could have ended his motivation.
- The reinstated Yuki Tsunoda also struggled in the second Red Bull seat, scoring only 30 points for the season and failing to solve the team's long-running issue with the second driver.
Between the lines:
Verstappen's comments subtly point to a deeper, systemic issue at Red Bull: the car is developed extensively around his unique driving style. He explained that while teammates try to use his setup, "every driver has his own driving style," and it takes time to converge. This environment inherently magnifies the challenge for any driver alongside him, making a two-race evaluation period seem particularly unfair and counterproductive.
What's next:
Verstappen's pointed assessment raises uncomfortable questions about the decision-making process for the seat beside him. With Tsunoda's performance not providing a clear solution, Red Bull must reconcile its ruthless efficiency with the patience required to nurture a teammate capable of supporting a championship campaign. The team's handling of its junior drivers will remain under scrutiny, especially with Lawson's future and the perennial 'second seat curse' still unresolved.