Max Verstappen loved an Instagram post from an ex-formula driver who seemed to suggest that the Axing of Liam Lawson was 'closer to bullying' than a strategic change.
It is when e-mail sport was told by sources in the vicinity of the Dutch racing manager that Verstappen was 'shoved' by the decision of Christian Horner to dismiss his 23-year-old Kiwi teammate.
On Thursday, Horner explained that although the racing side based in Milton Keynes had a duty of care to cherish the talents of Lawson, his performances had not been under the parent at the beginning of 2025 – where the team collectively decided to participate in the driver. He added that Lawson had found it difficult to deal with the RB21.
Yuki Tsunoda will now follow him for next week's Japanese Grand Prix, but the brutal decision of Red Bull has been investigated by some from the Formula 1 world.
Former Dutch Formula 1 driver, Giedo van der Garde, was someone who was particularly critical of the shock movement, with the ex-Caterham and Sauber star who shoots Red Bull for 'Crusing Lawson's spirit' after he had given him two races.
Verstappen, interesting, liked the post and it seems that the four -time world champion also returned quickly.
Max Verstappen (photo) wanted a message on Instagram that Red Bull seemed to criticize because of their decision to dismiss Liam Lawson
The Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde went to social media to claim that the move to Ax Lawson was 'closer to bullying' than a strategic move
Lawson (left) was promoted to drive to Red Bull during the low season, but struggled for shape in the first two races of the season
“I get a little tired of all the comments that Formula 1 is the most difficult sport in terms of versions and if you are insufficient, you have to face the consequences,” Van der Garde wrote on Instagram, publishing a photo of Lawson.
'Yes, you have to perform. Yes, the pressure is insane. But in my opinion this comes closer to bullying or a panic movement than actual performance with a high athlete. They made a decision – fully consciously – Liam gave two races only to crush his mind. '
At the beginning of the 2025 season, Lawson struggled with the Kiwi driver who remarkably collapsed from the Australian Grand Prix, which also finished 18th in the qualification in Melbourne. A week later he would finally end up in qualifying at the Chinese Grand Prix, before he became 18th in Sunday's race.
His short period with Red Bull is the shortest time that a driver has spent in a chair in the history of Formula 1 – Illness and injury aside. His two-race stint exceeds that of Yuji Ide, who raced four times on Super Aguri in 2006.
Van der Garde noticed the brutal nature of the decision and also gave a rally call to Lawson and urged the young driver to 'keep his head up'.
'Don't forget the dedication, hard work and success that Liam has so far put into his career to reach the level where he is today. I remember my own blood, sweat and tears – and that was to reach F1. Let alone drive for an absolute top team.
'Yes, he performed behind the first two races – but if someone is aware of it, it is himself. Perhaps he has suggested this himself, but if not, if not, I wish Liam all the strength and courage to reach the grid in Japan.
“Trust yourself, go up your head, proves that they are wrong.”
Sources close to the situation have also expressed their concern about the decision to email sport. It comes after Helmut Marko had suggested that Red Bull bosses would sit for an emergency meeting after the Chinese Grand Prix.
Sources close to the scene have said Mail Sport told that Verstappen (right) has been 'shaken' by the call to Axe Lawson (left)
It is understood that Red Bull -bosses had held an emergency meeting last week (photo of Horner, Right, and Helmut Marko, left)
Yuki Tsunoda (photo) will now follow Lawson in the RB21 for the Japanese Grand Prix – Lawson will now return to the racing bulls
“It is completely unfair to treat Liam like this,” said an unnamed contact close to the scene to Mail Sport.
'You have to give him more than two races to prove himself after he has worked for this opportunity all his life.
“He may not have done well, not an argument about that. But throwing him away so quickly is seriously bad. It hits a team in chaos. '
Lawson was promoted to Red Bull in the low season and the next Mexican driver Sergio Perez.
He seemed ominously predicting the decision on the eve of the Chinese Grand Prix, and told Sky Sports F1 'I don't really have time', after the last qualification.
Red Bull had tried to make some drastic changes to Lawson's car, in an attempt to help him climb the schedule. He started from the Pitlane with both the Australian and the Chinese Grand Prix, but the results did not come.
About the decision to participate in the company of Lawson, the director of Red Bull Team and CEO, Horner, this season again clarified the ambitions of the team, with questions that assemble whether Red Bull is going in the right direction.
“It was difficult to see Liam struggling with the RB21 at the first two races and as a result we jointly made the decision to make an early switch,” Horner said.
Lawson still has to comment on the decision, but has endured a tough start to the 2025 season, where Horner claimed that the Kiwi had 'struggled with the RB21' '
Questions have been asked about the direction in which Red Bull is now moving, considering how fast
'We arrived in the 2025 season with two ambitions, to maintain the World Drivers' Championship and to maintain the title of world constructors and this is a purely sporting decision.
'We acknowledge that there is a lot of work to do with the RB21 and Yuki's experience will be very useful in helping developing the current car.
'We welcome him to the team and look at it from him behind the wheel of the RB21.
“We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together we see that after such a difficult start it is logical to act quickly, so that Liam can gain experience, while he continues his career at Racing Bulls, an environment and a team that he knows very well.”
Lawson still has to comment on the decision.
