“I enjoyed the comment, appreciated the text, so that basically sums it up, doesn’t it? Definitely not an accident.”
Max Verstappen is clearly not pleased.
Amidst a cluster of reporters gathered around a small table in Red Bull’s temporary hospitality HQ for the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen didn’t openly discuss his thoughts on Liam Lawson being sidelined after just two races. However, he managed to convey his point effectively.
A week earlier, former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde had shared an Instagram post backing Lawson, suggesting that the situation smacked more of bullying or hasty decisions than genuine athletic achievement. Verstappen had liked that post, and on Thursday, he confirmed his endorsement of the sentiment.
As the drivers fielded questions at Suzuka, Christian Horner was absent, still on his way from Tokyo, poised to take center stage upon arrival on Friday. In his stead, Racing Bulls’ team principal Laurent Mekies encouraged a supportive environment for Lawson’s return, with drivers also taking the spotlight.
Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda shared their thoughts, but naturally, the press sought opinions from other drivers too. While Tsunoda remains a well-liked figure in the paddock, opinions varied.
“I’m not shocked they made such an early change,” Lewis Hamilton noted. “I generally don’t comment on other teams, though. Both are excellent drivers, and we have a lot of talented youngsters here. There’s a lot of pressure on newcomers, and mastering a car, especially one not known for being easy, is tough. Two races don’t seem enough to judge someone.”
Among the drivers, from Formula 1 legends to recent victors, there was a shared sentiment that two races were insufficient to assess a driver’s capabilities fully.
“Liam’s performance in the first two races doesn’t reflect his talent,” shared Oscar Piastri. “I’ve raced against Liam for years; he’s incredibly competitive. His results in those rounds don’t show what he’s truly capable of, and that’s all I’ll say.”
The term “brutal” has been tossed around a lot this week, both by fans and those within the F1 circle. Tsunoda acknowledged Red Bull’s harsh decisions but offered an intriguing perspective on how this might contribute to their success.
“Last year, it was tough when they chose Liam over me,” Tsunoda admitted. “Things change swiftly in our hierarchy. That’s part of why we succeed but also why we get scrutinized.”
“I have faith. Not that I’m saying I can deliver like Max, but I believe I can bring something different compared to others. Without that confidence, I wouldn’t be sporting this [Red Bull shirt]. I moved from Racing Bulls because I sought new challenges,” Tsunoda continued, emphasizing his belief despite the formidable car challenges of Red Bull.
Mekies endeavored to highlight the positives, and there are some. Yet, they spark internal dilemmas for many. Despite the limited time, Lawson has a chance to prove himself, a point his new boss stresses. It would indeed be incredible to see him flourish.
Simultaneously, no one wishes to see Tsunoda struggle, although that’s possible given the car’s difficulty, even for seasoned driver Sergio Perez. If Tsunoda faces setbacks, particularly at his home race, it would be a bitter pill to swallow.
This weekend, the entire circuit will be cheering for him, and I suspect viewers worldwide will too. If Tsunoda excels, alongside Lawson’s expected performance, Red Bull’s decision might seem justified. Yet, no offense to the team, this wouldn’t be the rosiest scenario.
Especially if it ends up masking deeper issues Verstappen says need attention.
“We might now realize how challenging driving that car is,” Verstappen commented. “No need to point fingers. What’s done is done. The key is to focus on self-assessment and refine the car.”
“I’m not concerned about external opinions—whether it’s about Checo or anyone else. Ultimately, we landed ourselves here, and focus needs to be on advancement.”
So, the defending champion remains unsatisfied. Monitoring how Tsunoda and Lawson perform will be intriguing, as well as observing Verstappen’s unfolding journey.
