Lawson Responds to Brown on Verstappen’s Impact at Red Bull
London – In the midst of ongoing speculation about Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson has countered McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s assertion that Racing Bulls would outperform Red Bull if not for the reigning four-time champion.
During a press event ahead of the British Grand Prix, Brown suggested that teams were engaged in discussions regarding their driver line-ups, indicating that “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” He specifically noted, “Red Bull would be behind Racing Bulls without Verstappen,” emphasizing the driver’s critical role in the team’s performance.
Lawson, who was recently reassigned from Red Bull to Racing Bulls, dismissed Brown’s comments, stating, “I don’t think Zak Brown understands, honestly.” His remarks highlight the ongoing tension within the Formula 1 paddock as teams jockey for competitive advantage.
Currently, Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors’ standings with 162 points, a significant portion attributed to Verstappen, who has amassed 155 points individually. In contrast, his teammate Yuki Tsunoda has only contributed seven points. Racing Bulls is sixth with 36 points, of which Lawson has earned 12 since his transfer.
For context, after eleven of the 24 races in the season, Lawson ranks 15th in the drivers’ standings, while Tsunoda finds himself in 17th place with a total of ten points across both teams.
As conversations continue about the driver market ahead of the 2026 season, Toto Wolff of Mercedes confirmed ongoing discussions with Verstappen, yet indicated that a formal agreement remains unlikely at this stage.
The dynamics within Red Bull and Racing Bulls will be closely monitored as the season progresses, particularly with the next race bringing heightened scrutiny on driver performance and team strategies.
