P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen disagrees with Red Bull driver sacking
Max Verstappen has expressed his disagreement with the premature decision to dismiss one of his F1 team-mates at Red Bull. The four-time world champion has had a history of cycling through multiple drivers in recent years. Sergio Perez performed well as a second driver during Red Bull’s dominance, but struggled when the car’s competitiveness waned in the 2024 season. Despite being replaced by Liam Lawson, the Kiwi’s stint at Red Bull was short-lived, with Yuki Tsunoda taking over after just two races. Verstappen, speaking post-2025 season, criticized the haste in axing Lawson, believing it could hinder a driver’s chances at a top team. Lawson’s subsequent success at Racing Bulls following his early exit from Red Bull marked a significant reversal of fortune in his F1 career, outscoring Tsunoda at his new team. The announcement that Hadjar would replace Tsunoda in 2026 while Lawson would continue at Racing Bulls, alongside Arvid Lindblad, further solidified Lawson’s position and impact in the F1 circuit.
