BREAKING: Verstappen Unhappy as Red Bull Drops Lawson After…read more
BREAKING: Verstappen Unhappy as Red Bull Drops Lawson After…read more
Max Verstappen is reportedly displeased with Red Bull’s decision to replace his teammate Liam Lawson after just two races in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 23-year-old New Zealander has struggled to make an impact since stepping up from Racing Bulls, failing to score a single point in his short stint with the senior team.
According to reports, Red Bull has opted to demote Lawson back to Racing Bulls and reinstate Yuki Tsunoda as Verstappen’s partner. The move is expected to be made official ahead of the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, which is Tsunoda’s home race.
Lawson’s Struggles Lead to Early Exit
Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull came after the team parted ways with Sergio Perez following a disappointing 2024 season. However, he has been unable to capitalize on the opportunity, recording a DNF in Australia and finishing outside the points in both the China sprint and main race.
His performances have contributed to Red Bull’s early struggles in the Constructors’ Championship, where they already trail McLaren by 42 points. With McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris securing a one-two finish in China, Red Bull’s management felt the need to act quickly.
Verstappen’s Frustration Over Decision
While Red Bull’s leadership, including team principal Christian Horner and advisor Helmut Marko, have been involved in the decision, Verstappen reportedly disagrees with the swift removal of Lawson. The Dutchman had previously expressed confidence in the young driver, stating that adapting to the Red Bull car takes time.
Verstappen had noted that Lawson was dealing with a much more challenging car than Tsunoda’s Racing Bulls machine, emphasizing that the performance gap between the two drivers last season was minimal.
Tsunoda Gets Another Shot at Red Bull
Tsunoda, who was previously teammates with Lawson at Racing Bulls, has had a solid start to the season, securing three points so far. Despite finishing 26 points ahead of Lawson in the 2024 standings, Red Bull initially chose to promote Lawson instead. Now, the Japanese driver gets his long-awaited opportunity in the senior team.
Red Bull’s decision was reportedly finalized in Dubai during a meeting with key stakeholders, including major shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya.
Red Bull’s Ongoing Driver Woes
This latest shake-up means Tsunoda will become Verstappen’s sixth different teammate since the Dutchman joined Red Bull in 2016. Previous partners, including Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez, have all struggled to match Verstappen’s pace.
While Lawson’s tenure was brief, his dismissal underscores the high-pressure nature of Red Bull’s second seat—a position that continues to be one of the most challenging roles in Formula 1.
