Verstappen’s teammate drama sparks controversy over Red Bull’s ruthless driver management – In a season already marked by unpredictability and controversy, Red Bull Racing has once again found itself in the spotlight for reasons far beyond its on-track performance. Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion and dominant force in Formula One, has seen a revolving door of teammates in the Red Bull number two seat – once considered one of the most coveted positions in motorsport.
But as the team’s ruthless decision-making leaves a trail of disillusioned young drivers in its wake, former F1 star Jean Alesi has publicly criticised Red Bull’s handling of Liam Lawson, describing the situation as “a bit scandalous”.
Alesi’s comments, aired during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend at Suzuka, have reignited debate over Red Bull’s often criticised approach to driver development and management. In the space of a few months, Red Bull have gone through Sergio Pérez, Liam Lawson and now Yuki Tsunoda alongside Verstappen. For Alesi, the treatment of Lawson stands out as emblematic of a deeper dysfunction.
From rising star to relegated substitute: The Liam Lawson story
Liam Lawson, the 23-year-old New Zealander, entered the 2025 season as one of the most anticipated young drivers on the grid. After impressing as a replacement driver in 2023 when he stepped in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri (now VCARB), Lawson earned a reputation for consistency and maturity well beyond his years.
Many believed he had done enough to secure a permanent seat for the following season.
Despite this, he began 2025 still somewhat on the fringes, alternating between VCARB and Red Bull. When Sergio Pérez underperformed in the opening race weekends, Red Bull made the shock decision to temporarily promote Lawson to the senior team. It seemed like his big break – an opportunity to finally prove himself at the highest level.
But the fairytale turned into a nightmare. After just two Grands Prix in Red Bull colours, Lawson was dropped to make way for Yuki Tsunoda to partner Verstappen. The decision blindsided many, including those within the paddock, who questioned how a driver could be judged so quickly, especially under the immense pressure of racing alongside Verstappen in arguably the fastest car on the grid.
Jean Alesi: “What happened is not nice”
Jean Alesi, never one to shy away from pointing out injustices in the sport, expressed his frustration at the way Lawson was treated. Speaking to Canal+ during the Suzuka weekend, the former Ferrari driver didn’t mince his words.
“If I may, I find it a bit scandalous to blame a driver after two Grands Prix,” said Alesi. “Especially a driver who has dedicated his whole life to being a Formula 1 driver. There were only two Grands Prix, I think this decision should have been made during the winter and not during the season.
Alesi pointed out the absurdity of judging Lawson’s long-term potential on the basis of such a small sample size. The decision to drop him came not in the middle of a slump, but at the start of the season, when most teams are still finding their feet.
“And it’s not even during the season, it’s at the very beginning of the season,” he added. “What has happened is not nice.”
Tsunoda’s struggles highlight the harshness of Red Bull’s decision
Lawson’s replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, promoted from sister team VCARB, has not exactly set the world on fire since joining the main squad for his first race. At the Japanese Grand Prix – his home race – Tsunoda could only manage 12th place, a far cry from what Red Bull would normally expect from one of its cars.
Meanwhile, Lawson, now back with Racing Bulls, finished 17th in the same race. Alesi pointed to these results as further proof that the problem isn’t necessarily with the driver, but with the system.
“We know that Red Bull can be fantastic in supporting young drivers,” Alesi continued, “but sometimes they can be completely crazy.”
This duality – nurturing prodigious talent on the one hand, and mercilessly dumping drivers on the other – has long been part of the Red Bull ethos. For every success story like Sebastian Vettel or Max Verstappen, there are several drivers like Daniil Kvyat, Pierre Gasly and now Lawson who have been tossed aside when the team felt they weren’t fast enough.
A culture of instant gratification in a cut-throat environment
Red Bull’s driver program is one of the most prolific in Formula 1 history, but it also has a reputation for being ruthless. The team is known for giving young talent early opportunities, but those opportunities often come with the unspoken understanding that performance must be immediate – and flawless.
In Lawson’s case, the odds were stacked against him from the start. Racing alongside Verstappen, one of the most dominant drivers in F1 history, is a daunting task for even the most experienced driver. With no time to acclimatise and immense pressure to perform, Lawson’s short stint was never going to produce miracles.
But Red Bull’s impatience has raised eyebrows. Why offer Lawson the seat in the first place if there was no intention of allowing him to grow into it? And why make such a radical change just two races into the season?
Verstappen caught in the crossfire
For Max Verstappen, the turbulence in the second seat is nothing new. Since his promotion to Red Bull in 2016, he has had a string of teammates, few of whom have been able to match his pace. Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and now Sergio Pérez have all taken a turn – and most have eventually fallen out of favour.
While Verstappen has remained publicly neutral on Red Bull’s driver decisions, one must wonder how the instability affects him. A consistent teammate can provide valuable feedback and contribute to the team’s overall strategy, but the constant shuffle only adds to the burden Verstappen has to carry for the team.
A missed opportunity for long-term growth
The broader concern among F1 insiders is that Red Bull’s revolving-door policy could ultimately harm the very goal it sets out to achieve – nurturing world-class talent. Drivers like Lawson, who have risen through the junior ranks with discipline and consistency, risk becoming disillusioned or even lost to the sport if they’re pushed aside too early.
Lawson’s return to the Racing Bulls may give him a second chance, but the psychological impact of being publicly dumped after just two Grands Prix cannot be underestimated. For a driver already under the microscope, the pressure to perform will now become overwhelming.
Looking ahead: Is there a way back for Lawson?
Despite the setback, Liam Lawson’s F1 story is far from over. At just 23, he has time on his side and his talent is undoubted. His performances in previous seasons have been promising, and some in the paddock still believe he deserves another chance – preferably one that comes with genuine support and a fair chance to prove himself.
The question is whether Red Bull is the environment in which that can happen. With the team increasingly focused on quick fixes and short-term results, the long-term development of its young drivers seems to be less and less of a priority.
As the season progresses, eyes will be on Verstappen’s title campaign, but also on how Red Bull continues to manage its second seat – and whether it can rediscover the balance between ambition and patience that once made it such a formidable force in developing the stars of tomorrow. For now, Jean Alesi’s warning resonates loudly around the paddock: what happened to Liam Lawson was not only unfair – it was avoidable.
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
