Verstappen Rebukes Red Bull Over Lawson Demotion as Second-Seat Woes Drag On

Lawson says two races were too few to learn the car, adding he would have adapted with more time.

Overview

Max Verstappen said he disagreed with Red Bull dropping rookie Liam Lawson after just two races, warning such rapid calls can ruin a driver's chance with a top team.
Lawson began 2025 alongside Verstappen after being chosen over Yuki Tsunoda but was sent back to Racing Bulls following difficult weekends in Australia and China.
Replacing Lawson with Tsunoda did not stabilize results, with Tsunoda scoring 30 points for the season and reinforcing the team’s recurring second-seat troubles.
Verstappen praised Lawson's response to the setback and highlighted the need to give rookies more time to adapt to team environments and car characteristics.
Lawson has been retained by Racing Bulls for 2026, Isack Hadjar will move up to Red Bull, and Tsunoda does not have a confirmed 2026 F1 seat.