Liam Lawson opens up: here's how Verstappen backed the kiwi driver through his Red Bull demotion
Liam Lawson's whirlwind 2025 season at Red Bull Racing lasted just two race weekendsâa humbling introduction to the sport's brutal nature that could have derailed his F1 career entirely. Yet amidst the disappointment and shock of his demotion, the New Zealand driver found an unexpected ally in his former team-mate: four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Speaking on the Gypsy Tales Podcast, Lawson revealed the profound impact Verstappen's personal support had during one of the most challenging periods of his career. "He's so, so nice as a person. He's such a nice guy. Through everything that happened last year with Red Bull, he was so good to me, man," Lawson explained. The sentiment underscores a rarely discussed side of Verstappenânot the fierce competitor on track, but the seasoned professional willing to mentor younger drivers navigating Formula 1's cutthroat environment.
From teammate to confidant
When Lawson first joined Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez, Verstappen immediately established himself as a resource rather than a rival. "Before I came into the team, when I first came on the team, he was super nice and any questions, he was just helpful, really helpful, was happy to help," Lawson recalled. This collaborative approach during onboarding likely provided crucial technical insights as Lawson attempted to acclimate to a car engineered around Verstappen's exacting specifications.
However, Verstappen's support extended far beyond steering advice. Notably, Verstappen had publicly disagreed with Red Bull's decision to demote Lawson after the Australian and Shanghai races, a stance that demonstrated his faith in the 23-year-old despite the disastrous results. The defending champion's backing provided moral support during an otherwise isolating experience.
Beyond the paddock
Perhaps most tellingly, Verstappen's generosity transcended the F1 bubble. After Lawson relocated to Monaco, Verstappen extended practical assistance. "He flies home quite often, and I just moved to Monaco last year, and he's like 'Just come with me if you ever need a ride.' So he's a real, real nice guy," Lawson shared. Such gestures, while seemingly minor, carry significant weight for a young driver navigating a new city whilst processing a professional setback.
Redemption and 2026 Optimism
The demotion ultimately proved transformative. Upon returning to Racing Bulls, Lawson demonstrated the resilience that would eventually secure his 2026 seat alongside rookie sensation Arvid Lindblad. With pre-season testing completed and the Australian Grand Prix looming on March 6-8, Lawson enters the new campaign reinvigoratedâbolstered not only by redemptive performances but by the genuine human connections forged within the paddock, particularly with Verstappen.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.