Former Ferrari star Gerhard Berger believes Red Bull made the wrong call by promoting Liam Lawson, insisting Carlos Sainz would’ve been the better choice.
Red Bull’s decision to pair Liam Lawson with Max Verstappen in 2025 has sparked plenty of debate—but few voices carry more weight in F1 than Gerhard Berger. The former Ferrari and McLaren driver didn’t hold back when discussing Red Bull’s lineup, suggesting the team should have gone with Carlos Sainz instead.
Berger: “No One Can Challenge Verstappen, But I’d Have Chosen Sainz”
With Sergio Perez out of the picture, Red Bull opted to promote Kiwi rising star Liam Lawson, giving him his first full-time seat alongside Verstappen. But Berger believes Red Bull should have gone in a different direction.
“There is probably no one who can compete with [Max Verstappen], but I would certainly have stayed with Carlos Sainz,” Berger stated.
Sainz, who was left without a Ferrari seat after Lewis Hamilton’s shock 2025 switch, was on the market—making him an available and proven race winner.
While Berger acknowledges Lawson’s talent, he feels the young driver should have been given another year or two at Red Bull’s sister team VCARB (formerly known as Toro Rosso).
“Of course, it does not seem bad to me that Lawson was put next to Max, although perhaps it would have been better if the young boy had more experience first in Toro Rosso.”
Why Berger Thinks Lawson Has a Fighting Chance
Despite his preference for Sainz, Berger isn’t dismissing Lawson entirely. He recalled the Kiwi’s impressive DTM stint, where he raced against Alex Albon, another former Red Bull driver.
“I already liked Lawson in the DTM. He was faster and more aggressive than Albon, and Albon is doing a good job at Williams. So I recommended Helmut [Marko] to take a look at it.”
Berger believes Lawson and Verstappen could form a solid pairing, though he questions whether the young Kiwi will be ready to challenge the three-time world champion.
“I think Verstappen and Lawson could make a good couple.”
Can Lawson Survive in Verstappen’s Shadow?
At 23 years old, Lawson faces an enormous challenge. He’s stepping into the most high-pressure seat in F1, partnering a driver who has dominated the sport since 2021.
With Red Bull’s ruthless history of dropping drivers, Lawson will need to prove himself immediately. While he’s highly rated, he lacks experience at the front of the grid—a stark contrast to Sainz, who has multiple race wins and years of top-team experience.
As the season opener in Melbourne approaches, all eyes will be on whether Red Bull made the right call—or if Berger’s prediction will come back to haunt them.
