Max Verstappen unhappy with Red Bull’s decision to drop Liam Lawson

Red Bull star voices disagreement ahead of Japanese Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing speaks with journalists in his team office a day before the first free practice session for the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Circuit on April 3, 2025, in Suzuka, Japan. Photo by David Mareuil/Anadolu

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Max Verstappen has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Red Bull’s decision to replace Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The three-time Formula 1 world champion confirmed on Thursday that he did not agree with the team’s move, reinforcing his stance through a social media interaction.

Verstappen’s displeasure became evident when he liked a post by former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, who criticized Red Bull’s handling of Lawson. Van der Garde described the decision as an act of panic, arguing that Red Bull failed to give Lawson a fair opportunity. When asked about his stance, Verstappen did not hold back.

"I liked that comment from Giedo, that text, so I think I've voiced it, right?" Verstappen said, as quoted by AFP. "Everything has been shared with the team, how I think about everything."

The Dutch driver further emphasized that while he had strong opinions, he preferred to keep certain discussions private. "Sometimes it’s better not to share everything and say everything in public. I think that’s better," he added.

Verstappen questions Red Bull’s decision

Liam Lawson had been part of Red Bull’s Racing Bulls program and made his F1 debut last season, showing promise during his limited opportunities. Despite this, Red Bull opted to replace him with Tsunoda, a decision that has raised eyebrows in the paddock.

Lawson had limited chances to prove himself, having only raced twice for Red Bull this season in Melbourne and Shanghai—circuits he had never previously competed on. Verstappen acknowledged the challenges rookies face in F1 and seemed to suggest that Lawson deserved more time to adapt.

"I think for the rookies, there's always the start of the season, you have the calendar now, and F1 is very tough," Verstappen explained. "Most of the tracks, they haven't really raced there, or maybe they've only had one fast weekend."

Red Bull under pressure as McLaren dominates

Beyond the internal team decisions, Verstappen is also dealing with mounting pressure on the track. After finishing second in Australia and fourth in China, he now trails McLaren’s Lando Norris by eight points in the Formula 1 drivers’ standings.

McLaren has emerged as the team to beat in recent weeks, winning both the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. Their superior performance has left Red Bull searching for answers, particularly as Verstappen aims to reclaim his dominance.

"I think our main issue is that our car is not where we want it to be," Verstappen admitted. "Everyone in the team knows that, and honestly, that's what I'm focused on at the moment."

Verstappen’s record at Suzuka

Despite Red Bull’s struggles, Verstappen heads into the Japanese Grand Prix with an impressive track record at Suzuka. The Dutchman has won the race for the past three years and will be eager to extend his dominance at the iconic circuit.

The Japanese Grand Prix is set to take place on Sunday, April 6, at the Suzuka Circuit, where Verstappen will look to close the gap to Norris and reassert Red Bull’s position at the top.