Verstappen's Social Media Like Sparks Debate on Red Bull's 'Panic Move' with Lawson

Verstappen's Cryptic Endorsement of Lawson Criticism

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has stirred controversy by liking a social media post that labeled Red Bull's decision to demote Liam Lawson as "a panic move" and "close to bullying." The comment came from Dutch former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, a Verstappen family associate, following Red Bull's shocking driver rotation just two races into the 2025 season.

"I liked the comment, the text, so I guess that speaks for itself, right?" Verstappen told reporters at Suzuka ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The Red Bull star refused to elaborate publicly but confirmed he's shared his "complete thoughts" with the team privately.

The Driver Swap Fallout

Red Bull's decision marks a dramatic reversal from their offseason evaluation when they:

Replaced Sergio Pérez (buying out his contract)
Promoted Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda despite the Japanese driver's four years of experience

Lewis Hamilton called the demotion "pretty harsh," while fellow drivers including Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly (a past victim of Red Bull's mid-season swaps) also liked van der Garde's critical post.

Lawson's Struggles with the RB21

The 23-year-old New Zealander faced significant challenges:

Qualified 18th in Australia
Started last in both China Sprint and Grand Prix
Reportedly struggled with the car's "nervous" handling

Verstappen offered insight: "It's a little bit more unstable in different corner phases than what some teammates have been used to."

Tsunoda's Homecoming Opportunity

The Japanese driver enters his Red Bull debut at Suzuka calling it the "best situation ever":

Has tested the car in simulator: "Didn't feel crazy tricky"
Acknowledges the team's brutal decision-making: "It was brutal when they chose Liam over me"
Vows to bring "something different" from previous Red Bull drivers

Lawson's Resolve at Racing Bulls

Despite the disappointment, Lawson remains determined:

Called demotion news "tough to hear"
Focused on proving "I belong in Formula 1"
Believes preseason car issues impacted his early performance

Technical Challenges Explained

Factor	Impact on Lawson
Car instability	Required different driving style
Limited testing	Fewer setup refinement opportunities
Pressure environment	Steep learning curve at top team

The brewing controversy adds another layer to Red Bull's already drama-filled season as the F1 circus arrives at the legendary Suzuka circuit.

Verstappen's Social Media Like Sparks Debate on Red Bull's 'Panic Move' with Lawson

Max Verstappen's social media activity fuels speculation about Red Bull's mid-season driver swap, as Liam Lawson's demotion raises eyebrows in the F1 world.