In a candid chat with RacingNews365, former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat shared his thoughts on Liam Lawson’s prospects alongside Max Verstappen. He sees Lawson’s plunge into the deep end with the F1 giant as a beneficial step for both Red Bull and the budding racer.
Kvyat discussed how starting anew might actually work in Lawson’s favor. The young New Zealander, who has been behind the wheel for Red Bull’s sister team in 11 races over the past two years, now joins Verstappen, marking his full-time F1 debut. Transitioning from races with the junior team to competing for Red Bull presents a hefty challenge for Lawson, but Kvyat believes this could turn out positively.
“It’s definitely a tough task,” Kvyat admitted during his talk with RacingNews365. “The environment is vastly different from that of a smaller team.”
He pointed out, “Every driver adjusts differently. Sure, some statistics might not be on his side, but coming in with a fresh perspective and being thrown into uncharted waters can be an excellent way to start afresh.”
Reflecting on his own experience, Kvyat noted that he had driven for Red Bull throughout the 2015 season until he was swapped with Verstappen just four races into the following year. At 30, having replaced Sebastian Vettel, he teamed up with Daniel Ricciardo, who was then a promising contender for the world championship. Impressively, in Kvyat’s debut season with Red Bull, he managed to outscore Ricciardo by three points in the standings.
Lawson faces the formidable task of competing against Verstappen, who is on a quest for his fifth consecutive F1 drivers’ title. Despite the daunting situation, Kvyat firmly believes that if Lawson makes consistent improvements, it could pressure the reigning world champion.
“Actually, it’s a great scenario for him,” Kvyat emphasized. “There’s no downside. He can go in with a completely open mindset, and even if he’s slightly behind by a tenth or two, it’s fine because Perez struggled considerably.”
Kvyat suggested that Lawson should focus on gradually improving his lap times, which might unsettle Max in the process. “A new mindset can be a huge asset,” he added. “While we can’t predict the outcome, this situation might play to Lawson’s strengths. Of course, other challenges lie ahead as well.”
