Lawson Praises Verstappen's Support as Red Bull Targets Austrian GP Podium

Liam Lawson has credited Max Verstappen as a "very supportive" figure during his turbulent Red Bull Racing tenure, which ended after just two rounds of the 2026 season. The comments surface as current Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar targets a podium at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, with new upgrades expected to unlock the RB22's potential at the compact Red Bull Ring.

Why it matters:

Lawson's swift exit from Red Bull was among the season's most ruthless driver changes, making Verstappen's behind-the-scenes backing particularly notable. For Red Bull, a genuine podium shot in Austria would signal that their development program is finally closing the gap to Mercedes after a difficult start to the 2026 campaign.

The details:

• Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Lawson described Verstappen as a "very real" and grounded person who offered meaningful support during his brief stint. The New Zealander said he valued the chance to learn from the reigning champion before being replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.
• Hadjar told GPblog that the RB22's primary weakness remains high-speed corner entry, but believes the Spielberg layout and incoming updates could translate into a podium opportunity.
• Mercedes has largely controlled the 2026 season pace, though Lewis Hamilton's recent Ferrari victory in Barcelona has introduced fresh uncertainty into the title fight.

What's next:

Red Bull's upgrade package faces an immediate exam in the Austrian hills this weekend. If Hadjar can convert the promised pace into a rostrum finish, it could mark a genuine turning point for a team desperate to rejoin the front-running battle. Meanwhile, Hamilton will look to build on his Barcelona momentum against a Mercedes squad that still holds the overall competitive advantage.