Max Verstappen has voiced his frustration over Red Bull’s sudden decision to swap seats between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.
Verstappen has openly expressed his frustration with Red Bull’s decision to swiftly swap seats between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. Speaking at Suzuka during the media day, the reigning world champion made it clear that he was not in agreement with how the situation was handled.
The Dutch media, closely connected to Verstappen’s camp, was quick to reveal the champion’s discontent, a sentiment later confirmed by Dr. Helmut Marko. Verstappen further acknowledged his dissatisfaction by liking an Instagram post from Giedo Van der Garde about the issue.
“I liked the post, the text, so I guess it speaks for itself, right? It wasn’t a mistake,” Verstappen said. “My reaction was shared with the team, not only about the seat swap but about everything. We talked about it last weekend and at the factory.”
“I’ve shared my views with the team on everything. Sometimes, it’s better not to make everything public. I think that’s the right approach.”
He added, “I’ve discussed everything with the team, so they know where I stand, and that’s enough, to be honest.”
Did he speak to Lawson?
“I’ve discussed everything with the team, I’ve spoken to Liam, and that’s all I can say. The rest is internal.”
Verstappen remained tight-lipped on several other matters, including whether the RB21 was a car better suited to his driving style, as Christian Horner had suggested recently.
“It’s tough to say how difficult or enjoyable the car is to drive, because I’ve never driven for another team. I just adapt to what I’m given as best as I can,” he said. “Our main issue is that the car isn’t where we want it to be. I think everyone within the team knows this, and that’s where my focus lies, to be honest.”
What’s wrong with the RB21?
Verstappen did, however, share some thoughts on the RB21’s performance, explaining that it’s more “nervous” and “unstable” in corners compared to last year’s model. He attributed this to several factors, including cornering speed, asphalt, tire overheating, bumps, and curbs. Some circuits are more demanding than others, and while some issues are easier to address, the team is working hard to improve the car’s performance.
“Liam has raced in about 11 races before joining us, but in a different period. I think for newcomers, the start of the season is tough because many of these circuits aren’t really used or only feature a sprint weekend. So those scenarios don’t help when learning how to handle a car.”
Verstappen concluded, “Once the car is more competitive and generally easier to handle, I believe even the driver in the other car will find the driving experience more natural.”
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Verstappen Slams Red Bull’s Quick Driver Swap Decision Verstappen Slams Red Bull’s Quick Driver Swap Decision
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