Jos Verstappen, father of reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, has offered a word of caution to Red Bull Racing’s new recruit, Liam Lawson, as the young Kiwi steps into one of the most coveted — and challenging — seats on the grid.
Lawson, promoted to Red Bull for the 2025 season, replaces Sergio Perez after the Mexican’s underwhelming performances last year. While the 21-year-old New Zealander has shown immense potential during his brief stints with Red Bull’s sister team (now rebranded as Racing Bulls), Verstappen Sr. has warned Lawson against falling into the trap of trying to match Max’s pace straight out of the gate.
The “Poisoned Chalice” of Red Bull’s Second Seat
The second seat at Red Bull has developed a notorious reputation over the years. Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and most recently Sergio Perez have struggled to handle the immense pressure of keeping pace with Max Verstappen.
Jos Verstappen, reflecting on his own F1 career, urged Lawson to avoid the pitfall of overreaching in an attempt to dethrone his superstar teammate. Drawing parallels to his rookie experience at Benetton alongside Michael Schumacher in 1994, Jos shared how his miscalculated ambitions derailed his career.
“He [Lawson] should not make the mistake I made at Benetton in 1994: trying to keep up with Max at all costs,” said Jos in an interview with F1 Insider. “He should do his own thing. Hopefully, he has a similar driving style to Max, then they can improve the car together.”
Lawson’s Measured Approach
Lawson, who has already displayed remarkable composure in his limited F1 outings, appears to have internalized the advice. Speaking on Red Bull’s Talking Bulls podcast, he outlined his immediate priorities: contributing to the Constructors’ Championship while learning from Verstappen.
“Obviously, as Formula 1 drivers, we all share the goal of winning a world championship,” Lawson said. “But that’s not what I expect coming in. I don’t expect to win right away. My focus is on helping the team regain the Constructors’ title.”
Lawson credited Max Verstappen for being supportive during his early foray into F1, particularly when the Kiwi debuted under immense pressure at Zandvoort in 2023.
“Max is someone who loves motorsport and has always been kind and supportive,” Lawson added. “When I was feeling the heat at Zandvoort, he was really good to talk to. It’s incredible to now call him my teammate.”
A Team Player Mindset
Unlike his predecessors, Lawson enters the Red Bull cockpit with a clear understanding of his role: to complement Verstappen’s strengths while learning from the four-time world champion. By adopting a pragmatic approach, Lawson aims to avoid the high-pressure pitfalls that have ensnared past drivers.
“There’s nobody better to learn from,” Lawson said. “For me, it’s about becoming competitive as quickly as possible while helping the team achieve its goals.”
Jos’ Warning and Max’s Mentorship
With Jos Verstappen’s warning serving as a guiding principle, Lawson is set to navigate one of the most high-stakes roles in Formula 1. However, he benefits from having Max Verstappen not just as a benchmark but also as a mentor — a dynamic that could foster a unique and productive partnership.
As Lawson prepares for his first full season at the pinnacle of motorsport, the world will watch closely to see if he can find the balance between competing with Verstappen and carving out his own place in the sport.