According to sources, Red Bull’s decision to replace Liam Lawson after just two races has left Max Verstappen “shaken.”
After days of concern about his future, Lawson was demoted to Racing Bulls after replacing Sergio Perez at the Formula 1 giants during the off-season.
Yuki Tsunoda will replace the Kiwi at the Japanese Grand Prix next weekend, it was confirmed on Thursday. The 24-year-old will finally receive the chance he has been longing for.
Now, it’s been revealed that Lawson’s former team-mate was left shocked by the news of the New Zealander’s firing.
Writing in the Daily Mail, respected F1 journalist Jonathan McEvoy said: “I am told by sources close to Red Bull that Verstappen is shaken by Lawson’s firing.
“A leading driver, speaking off the record, confided the other day, ‘What is destroying Liam is the way he is dealt with by Helmut [Marko]’. The atmosphere there does not give their drivers room to breathe, to fulfil themselves.”
Verstappen stunned by Red Bull ‘chaos’
The arrival of Lawson was designed to give the team a fresh lease of life following a challenging campaign last time out in which they lost their constructors’ crown.
But his debut got off to the worst possible start after crashing out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, before failing to score any points in China last weekend.
The 23-year-old has refused to shirk responsibility, putting his sub-par performances down to ongoing struggles in getting to grips with the car.
But he has been given no time to turn things around and will now line up at his former team alongside rookie Isack Hadjar at the Suzuka Circuit next week.
