Lawson Commends Verstappen's Steadfast Support Amidst Red Bull Driver Changes

Liam Lawson, the promising Formula 1 driver currently aligned with the Racing Bulls team, has publicly lauded reigning world champion Max Verstappen for his significant personal support during a pivotal and challenging period in Lawson’s career. The New Zealander revealed that Verstappen was "really good" to him after a significant shift in his prospective Red Bull Racing future for the 2025 season, a development that saw him ultimately secure a long-term seat with Racing Bulls.

Lawson’s journey through the Red Bull driver academy has been closely watched, marked by both high expectations and the notoriously demanding nature of the program. His comments, made during an appearance on the Gypsy Tales Podcast, shed light on the personal dimension of F1’s intensely competitive environment, particularly the dynamics between a seasoned champion and a young talent navigating the complexities of the driver market.

The narrative surrounding Lawson’s 2025 prospects within the Red Bull hierarchy was a focal point of much speculation. As the 2024 season progressed, it was widely understood that Lawson was a prime candidate for a seat at either Red Bull Racing or its sister team, then known as AlphaTauri, now Racing Bulls. The original content indicates a highly fluid situation regarding the 2025 Red Bull Racing lineup. According to Lawson’s account, there was an initial understanding or even a provisional agreement that he would sign with Red Bull Racing for the 2025 season, stepping into the seat alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen and effectively replacing Sergio Perez. This would have marked a monumental step for the young driver, elevating him directly into one of the sport’s most coveted cockpits.

However, the landscape of driver contracts and team strategies within Formula 1 is constantly evolving. Lawson’s remarks suggest a swift reversal of this initial plan. After what was described as a mere two race weekends – likely referring to an internal assessment period or a hypothetical scenario within the Red Bull system – the opportunity shifted. Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, who has been a consistent performer for the sister team, was reportedly chosen to fulfill the 2025 Red Bull Racing role that Lawson had initially been earmarked for. This decision, which Lawson frames as a "demotion" from the Red Bull Racing prospect, saw Tsunoda reportedly remain in that role for the entirety of 2025 before transitioning to a reserve driver position. Concurrently, Isack Hadjar was slated to assume a reserve driver role for 2026, further illustrating the intricate and often unforgiving internal movements within the Red Bull driver stable.

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It was during this period of significant professional uncertainty and disappointment that Max Verstappen’s support proved invaluable. Lawson emphasized Verstappen’s character, describing him as "so, so nice as a person. He’s such a nice guy. Through everything that happened last year with Red Bull, he was so good to me, man." Lawson recounted how Verstappen was welcoming and approachable from the outset of their interactions, even before the complexities of the 2025 driver market unfolded. "Before I came into the team, when I first came on the team, he was super nice and any questions, he was just helpful, really helpful, was happy to help."

The assistance extended beyond professional advice, delving into personal gestures that underscored the genuine nature of their rapport. Lawson, who recently relocated to Monaco, revealed, "He was honestly really, really good. And then quite often he flies home, and I just moved to Monaco last year, and he’s like ‘Just come with me if you ever need a ride.’ So he’s a real, real nice guy." Such acts of camaraderie from a driver of Verstappen’s stature can offer crucial psychological uplift for a young athlete facing a professional setback. It speaks to a less frequently seen side of elite competition, where mutual respect and personal kindness can transcend the fierce rivalry on track.

The Red Bull driver program has a storied history of identifying, nurturing, and rigorously testing young talent. From Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo to Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon, the pathway to Red Bull Racing is celebrated for its effectiveness but also notorious for its high-pressure environment and the swiftness with which careers can be redirected. Drivers are constantly evaluated, and decisions are made with the ultimate goal of fielding the most competitive lineup for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. Lawson’s experience is a testament to this system, where even a provisional top-tier opportunity can be re-evaluated.

Despite the initial disappointment of not securing the Red Bull Racing seat, the Red Bull organization demonstrated its continued faith in Lawson by ensuring his long-term future within the family. Following his transition from the main Red Bull Racing prospect to Racing Bulls, Lawson secured a confirmed race seat for the 2026 season. This stability provides him with a clear trajectory and the opportunity to build a consistent presence in Formula 1. He will be joined by rookie driver Arvid Lindblad, forming a young and dynamic lineup for the newly rebranded Racing Bulls team. Lindblad’s promotion highlights Red Bull’s ongoing commitment to bringing fresh talent through its development pipeline.

Lawson’s path to a full-time F1 seat has been marked by impressive performances. His unexpected debut in 2023, deputizing for an injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, saw him deliver mature and competitive drives, including a points finish in Singapore. These performances undoubtedly bolstered his case for a permanent position and positioned him as one of the most promising talents on the F1 periphery. His retention at Racing Bulls for 2026 underscores the value the Red Bull management places on his demonstrated ability and potential.

As the focus shifts to the current racing calendar, Lawson, as a key driver for Racing Bulls, has been actively involved in the preparations for the 2024 season. Pre-season testing for the upcoming Formula 1 campaign concluded on Friday, February 20, in Bahrain, offering teams their first comprehensive look at their new machinery on track. With the season-opening Australian Grand Prix just around the corner, scheduled for March 6-8, every session and data point from testing is critical.

Lawson shared his insights into Racing Bulls’ pre-season performance, offering a cautiously optimistic assessment. He noted that the team did not encounter any "standout issues," a crucial positive in the often-turbulent world of F1 car development. However, he acknowledged an element of inconsistency, a common challenge in the early stages of car development as teams seek to optimize performance across various conditions.

"It’s just probably a little bit inconsistent is the only thing," Lawson explained to the media in Bahrain. "But I think, honestly, yesterday we were, in terms of specifically braking and entries, actually were not too bad for us. But yeah, obviously, we’re trying a lot of different things at the moment and some stuff has not worked." This iterative process of experimentation is fundamental to pre-season testing, as teams explore the limits of their car’s setup and aerodynamic package.

Despite some experimental avenues not yielding immediate success, Lawson highlighted positive findings. "And then other stuff we found has been quite positive. So yeah, I don’t think there’s really a standout issue or limitation that we have at the moment. It’s just sort of putting things together and obviously preparing as well as we can because Melbourne, as we’re saying, is going to be very, very different compared to here."

The distinction between the Bahrain International Circuit, known for its abrasive surface and high-temperature conditions, and the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, a semi-street circuit with a smoother surface and often cooler temperatures, is significant. Teams must adapt their car setups considerably, and data gathered in Bahrain provides a baseline rather than a definitive performance indicator for all subsequent races. Lawson’s comments reflect a pragmatic understanding of the testing process and the challenges that lie ahead as the team transitions from data collection to competitive racing.

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Lawson and Racing Bulls will aim to translate their pre-season learnings into strong performances. The stability of a confirmed 2026 seat provides Lawson with a unique position, allowing him to focus on maximizing his current performance without the immediate pressure of an expiring contract. His resilience in navigating the high-stakes world of F1 driver movements, coupled with the personal backing of a champion like Max Verstappen, positions him as a compelling figure to watch as the Formula 1 season unfolds.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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