Liam Lawson has offered his perspective on assertions made by McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, suggesting that Racing Bulls would outperform Red Bull if the latter didn’t have the benefit of Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 champion.
Speculation about Verstappen’s future with Red Bull has resurfaced, with indications that the Dutch driver might be contemplating a switch to Mercedes. While Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has acknowledged ongoing discussions between the parties, no formal announcement has been made, and a deal for 2026 is still considered improbable.
Brown addressed the conjecture during the McLaren event held in Trafalgar Square, preceding the British Grand Prix.
“My belief is that where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If everyone felt secure in their positions, they would be stating that definitively,” Brown conveyed to Sky Sports News. “The fact that discussions are happening and no one is confirming anything leads me to believe there are ongoing conversations. I previously stated that I wouldn’t be surprised to see Max in a Mercedes.”
He elaborated: “Red Bull would likely be trailing Racing Bulls [without Verstappen]. They have executed exceptionally well and possess a formidable racing vehicle. In my view, Max is currently shouldering a significant burden for them.”
When queried by Autosport about his agreement with Brown’s assessment, Lawson responded: “I don’t believe Zak Brown fully grasps the situation, to be honest. It’s easy to offer opinions when you’re not directly involved and are observing from the outside, so I don’t think he appreciates the complexities.”
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images
The New Zealander had initially secured a contract with Red Bull for 2025, earmarked to succeed Sergio Perez, but following a mere two races, he was reassigned to Racing Bulls, with Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda filling his spot alongside Verstappen.
After 11 of the 24 races in the season calendar, Red Bull occupies the fourth position in the constructors’ standings with 162 points. Verstappen has contributed 155 of these points, placing him third in the drivers’ championship, which indicates that Tsunoda has only accumulated seven points for Red Bull. Conversely, Racing Bulls holds the sixth position in the standings with a total of 36 points.
Since his integration into Racing Bulls, Lawson has garnered 12 points, positioning him 15th in the drivers’ standings. In comparison, Tsunoda has secured seven points while driving for Red Bull and an additional three points with Racing Bulls, leaving him in 17th place.
