Just in: Lawson dealt striking Verstappen ‘mental battles.,… read more
Lawson dealt striking Verstappen ‘mental battles.,… read more
Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has issued a cautionary message to Liam Lawson, who is set to make his full-time debut with Red Bull Racing this season. Herbert warns that Lawson must establish a strong performance early on, or he may find himself facing significant “mental battles” stemming from the pressure of competing against reigning champion Max Verstappen.
Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull marks a pivotal moment in his career, as he has previously only participated in 11 races across two seasons with the sister team, now known as Racing Bulls. Despite showing promise, Lawson’s performance in his final six races last year often saw him trailing behind his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, who has been overlooked for a promotion to Red Bull. This brings into question whether Lawson has truly earned the right to race alongside Verstappen.
Herbert expresses skepticism regarding Lawson’s readiness for such a competitive environment, emphasizing the importance of head-to-head performance against teammates. He points out that Lawson’s results against Tsunoda did not decisively demonstrate that he was the superior driver. Herbert notes, “In my old ways, it’s always about how you do against your teammates,” suggesting that Lawson’s inability to consistently outperform Tsunoda raises doubts about his qualifications for the prestigious seat at Red Bull.
Despite these reservations, Herbert acknowledges Lawson’s undeniable speed, which has contributed to his high regard within the Red Bull organization. However, he warns that Lawson will face a much tougher challenge with Verstappen as a teammate, given the Dutch driver’s dominance over his previous partners. Herbert highlights that Verstappen is not only a better driver than Tsunoda but also possesses a unique ability to control the dynamics of the team, making him a formidable opponent for any driver, including Lawson.
Herbert elaborates that the nature of competing against a dominant force like Verstappen poses distinct challenges. He notes that Lawson must elevate his performance from the level he achieved in 2024 to meet the demands of 2025, where he will be racing against one of the best in the sport. “Lawson has to come out of the blocks quickly
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