Liam Lawson has publicly challenged Zak Brown’s recent comments suggesting that Red Bull would be lost without Max Verstappen. As speculation swirls around Verstappen’s future and the paddock prepares for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the debate over just how much Red Bull relies on its star driver has never been hotter.
Speaking at a fan event in London, McLaren CEO Zak Brown fanned the flames by claiming that if Verstappen left, Red Bull might even fall behind their own sister team, Racing Bulls. Brown told Sky Sports News, “They would probably be behind AlphaTauri (Racing Bulls). They’ve done a great job and got a great racing car. Max is carrying them at the moment.”
The remark landed just as rumours of Verstappen’s possible move to Mercedes are dominating F1 headlines. But Liam Lawson, who raced for Red Bull’s junior team last year and is now a full-time Racing Bulls driver, has pushed back.
“I don’t think Zak Brown understands, honestly. It’s easy to comment on stuff when you’re not involved, and you’re outside of the picture, so I don’t think he understands,” Lawson told the media at Silverstone when asked about Brown’s Red Bull comments. His response speaks to the pride within the Red Bull camp and highlights the complexity behind a team’s success in Formula 1.
Lawson Responds to Red Bull Doubts
While it’s true that Verstappen has scored the majority of Red Bull’s points this season, Lawson insists that the effort behind every result goes far beyond a single driver.
“There’s so much work that goes on at Red Bull, from the engineers to everyone at the factory,” Lawson continued. “It’s not just about one person, even if Max is doing an incredible job.”
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Red Bull is experiencing one of its toughest seasons in years, fighting not just McLaren but also Ferrari and Racing Bulls for position in the constructors’ standings. Despite this, the suggestion that Verstappen is the sole reason for their relative success has not gone down well with those inside the team.
Lawson’s Racing Bulls squad has shown steady improvement, with the young New Zealander scoring valuable points and building on a foundation laid by the entire team. The dynamic between the senior and junior Red Bull outfits is complex, but the suggestion that Racing Bulls could outpace Red Bull without Verstappen is one that few within the organisation take seriously.
Verstappen Speculation and the Bigger Picture
The speculation over Verstappen’s next move continues to grow as the 2025 season unfolds. Rumours of a blockbuster transfer to Mercedes show no signs of slowing down, but inside the Red Bull and Racing Bulls garages, focus remains on the championship battle at hand.
Brown’s comments may have sparked debate, but Lawson’s rebuttal is a reminder that F1’s success stories are built on more than just headlines and superstars. As the season approaches its midway point at Silverstone, all eyes will be on how Red Bull and Racing Bulls respond—on and off the track.
