It is the chicken and the egg story of Formula 1. The gap between Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson was immense during their first and only two Grands Prix together at Red Bull. Was that real gap really entirely due to Lawson’s inability to handle the RB21 or is Verstappen otherworldly?
Sebastian Vettel has revealed that he spoke with Max Verstappen before the Dutchman took his winning record, telling Verstappen he is ‘better’ than him. The German, who won four world titles with Red Bull, believes that Max Verstappen will add more championships to his tally. At just 27 years old, Verstappen has already cemented his place among the sport’s greats—how many more titles could be in his future?
More than ever, Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull Racing is uncertain. Competitors are surely keeping a close eye on developments at the Austrian team. Maybe the Dutchman could be contracted somewhere else for 2026?
When Liam Lawson arrives in Suzuka next week, he will no longer be stepping into the Red Bull Racing garage. After being sidelined in favour of Yuki Tsunoda, the New Zealander now faces the challenge of proving himself at sister team Racing Bulls. Former Red Bull driver Mark Webber believes that Lawson’s best approach is to stay calm if he wants to revive his Formula 1 career.
The Japanese Grand Prix will be a special event for Red Bull Racing. After years of having a Honda engine, this will be the final time they will run with those power units at Suzuka. The team have already hinted at a special livery, and the first picture of their team kit has also surfaced.
Jan Lammers also watched as McLaren clinched the win at the first two Grand Prix weekends of the season. Red Bull Racing – especially in China – followed behind. Will Max Verstappen’s team be able to catch up to the papaya outift? For now, Lammers sees a big advantage for McLaren over Verstappen and the rest of their pursuers.
The expression, nothing changes like the weather, could, in a way, apply to Red Bull Racing. What is the absolute truth for the Austrian team one day can be the opposite the next. There is no longer any measure for Red Bull’s actions and beliefs.
GPblog reported last week that Max Verstappen disagreed with Red Bull Racing’s decision to sideline Liam Lawson, which Helmut Marko then confirmed. Meanwhile, the Austrian also revealed what Verstappen’s plea was to hold on to the New Zealander for longer, since he’d only driven two Grands Prix for the team.
Forever grateful. After all, it was the same Helmut Marko who gave the young Max Verstappen a chance in Formula One when he was only 16, thus spearheading a brilliant career in the sport. But that was then and now is a different world for Verstappen. In the interests of Red Bull Racing, it has become a must that both team principal Christian Horner and also Marko leave, GPblog has learned.
While the rumours about Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull Racing persist, with Mercedes or Aston Martin named as possible destinations, top advisor Helmut Marko underlined they are doing everything to keep the defending world champion on board.
