Verstappen says damning Red Bull social media move ‘wasn’t a mistake’
Max Verstappen says his damning social media move towards Red Bull was deliberate as the team braces for chaos at the Japanese Grand Prix.
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Max Verstappen is sticking up for Liam Lawson after the Kiwi was dropped from Red Bull and joined the long list of Verstappen’s ex-teammates.
Lawson has been demoted to Racing Bulls ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix after a dismal start to the season saw Red Bull pull the pin on the 23-year-old after just two races and promote Yuki Tsunoda.
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Verstappen has made it clear Red Bull’s car is much more difficult to drive this season than his title-winning years and he has been sympathetic to Lawson, suggesting he would probably find the Racing Bulls car easier to drive.
As speculation swirled last week before Lawson was sacked, Verstappen liked a post on Instagram from former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde which called Red Bull’s decision to drop Lawson “close to bullying.” Australia’s Oscar Piastri also liked the post.
“I’m getting a bit tired of all the comments that F1 is the toughest sport in terms of performances and when you underdeliver you’ve gotta face the consequences,” van der Garde wrote.
“Yes, you gotta perform, Yes, the pressure is insane. But in my opinion this comes closer to bullying or a panic move than actual high athlete achievements.
“They made a decision — fully aware — gave Liam two races only to crush his spirit. Don’t forget the dedication, hard work and success Liam has put in his career so far to achieve the level where he is now.
“I remember my own blood, sweat and tears — and that was to reach F1. Let alone driving for an absolute top team.
“Yes, he underperformed the first two races — but if anyone’s aware of that it’s himself. Perhaps he suggested this himself, but if not I wish Liam all the strength and courage to get to the grid in Japan. Trust yourself, get your head up, prove them wrong.”
Quizzed about his social media activity ahead of this weekend’s race in Japan, Verstappen was as straightforward as ever.
The Dutchman said: “I liked the comment, the text, so I guess that speaks for itself, right?
“It was not a mistake, that happens sometimes when you click on something.”
“Yeah, I’ve discussed everything with the team,” Verstappen told Sky F1. “I’ve spoken to Liam, and I think that’s all I can say about it.
“Everything has been shared with the team, how I think about everything.
“Sometimes it’s not necessary, you know, to always share and say everything in public.
“We need to just improve our car. That’s where the focus needs to be, that’s what I’ve said also to the team, and that’s also what I’m working on, to be honest.”
Verstappen is second in the standings behind Lando Norris after two races, but it would take a miracle for the four-time world champion to claim a fifth title this year given Red Bull look well off the pace.
Speaking to news.com.au, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya urged Red Bull to pick and stick with their second driver and work on making make the car more driveable and the team less reliant on Verstappen.
“They’ve still got to figure out how to run two cars,” Montoya said.
“It’s hard because the whole development of the car goes towards what Max needs.”
F1 enters a new era of regulations in 2026 and Aston Martin and Mercedes are the frontrunners to lure Verstappen away from Red Bull, where he is contracted until the end of 2028.
“I’d be surprised if he leaves at the end of 2025, but it wouldn’t surprise me if at the end of 2026 he’s not there,” Montoya said.
“If I was him, I would go to Aston because you won everything with Adrian (Newey) and Adrian’s there, and you won everything with Honda and Honda’s there.
“So you’ve got the same engine that gave you all the championships and the same designer that gave you all the championships.”
Lawson was welcomed back to Racing Bulls at the Suzuka Circuit this week, but he admitted he was “shocked” by his demotion.
“It was definitely a shock, honestly. It’s not something that I saw coming,” Lawson said to Sky Sports.
“The discussions we were having weren’t really leaning in this direction, so it was definitely not something that I expected.
“Obviously, I would have loved more time.
“We had a rocky testing. We had a rocky first weekend in Melbourne with practice. And then obviously China was a sprint.
“I think going to places that I’d been before with the way the car is was quite tricky, I think that would have helped and I would have loved that opportunity.
“But obviously, it’s not my decision, so I’m here to make the most of this one.”
Lawson failed to finish at the season opener in Australia after finding himself stuck on dry tyres in damp conditions, subsequently crashing out after completing 47 of the 58 prescribed laps.
Difficulties continued in China as he qualified dead last for both the Sprint Race and Grand Prix, finishing 12th on Sunday. Those two races were just the twelfth and thirteenth starts of Lawson’s F1 career.
The Japanese Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday at 3pm AEST. Watch practice, qualifying and race on Kayo Sports.
Originally published as Verstappen says damning Red Bull social media move ‘wasn’t a mistake’
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