Lawson hails 'very real' Verstappen for support after Red Bull demotion

Liam Lawson has shed light on the genuine support he received from Max Verstappen following his abrupt demotion from Red Bull Racing just two races into the 2025 season. Appearing on the High Performance podcast, the Racing Bulls driver called the four-time world champion a "very real" person who never let his status affect how he treated those around him.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's private backing underscores the tension between Red Bull's cutthroat driver management and the reality of how those decisions affect young careers. While the team has long operated a revolving door for its second seat, Lawson's account reveals the human side of a system that often prioritizes immediate results over long-term driver development.

The details:

Lawson recalled that even when he was a reserve driver, Verstappen would make a point to acknowledge him and ask about his Formula 2 campaign rather than keeping his distance. After Lawson was dropped following the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix in favor of Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen remained deeply supportive during their conversations about the situation. The Dutchman had already publicly criticized the move in an end-of-year Viaplay interview, arguing that two races were "far too early" to judge a teammate and that the team had effectively ruined someone's shot at a top-tier opportunity.

What's next:

Lawson has quietly rebuilt his reputation at Racing Bulls, scoring points in five of the first seven Grands Prix of the 2026 season to sit tenth in the drivers' standings with 28 points. His consistent form suggests he has moved past the Red Bull turmoil, though his experience continues to raise questions about whether the team's ruthless approach to driver rotation is undermining its own long-term stability.