Verstappen expresses concerns over Red Bull's driver swap

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Suzuka, Japan – Max Verstappen made his feelings known to Red Bull Racing following the decision to demote Liam Lawson to junior team Racing Bulls and promote Yuki Tsunoda as his new teammate. This switch makes Tsunoda Verstappen’s third different teammate in merely four races.

Sergio Perez was initially let go by Red Bull during the offseason, and Lawson's replacement tenure lasted only two races, marking one of the shortest in the team's history. As the Japanese Grand Prix weekend unfolds, Tsunoda steps up to partner with Verstappen, a four-time world champion.

During a media session on Thursday, Verstappen chose to withhold his public opinion on the change but made his views clear on social media last week by liking an Instagram post from former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde. The post criticized Red Bull's decision, describing it as “closer to bullying or a panic move.” Verstappen said his action wasn’t a mistake and indicated his agreement with van der Garde’s sentiments.

"I liked the comment, the text, so I guess that speaks for itself, right?" Verstappen elaborated before the Japanese Grand Prix. "It was not a mistake [to like the post] -- that happens sometimes, you click on something [by mistake]."

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, acknowledged Verstappen’s dissatisfaction last week. Verstappen confirmed that he had expressed his opinion internally. "My reaction was shared with the team, but in general, you know, about not only the swap, but about everything," he stated. "We discussed that already during last weekend, race weekend, back at the factory. Like I said, everything has been shared with the team, how I think about everything."

Verstappen pointed out that the focus should shift to the car’s limitations, which would inherently address issues concerning the second driver. "Well, I think our main issue is that our car is not where we want it to be," he pointed out. "I think everyone knows that within the team and that's what I focus on, to be honest. Because as soon as the car is more competitive and more drivable in general, then I think even in the other car, you know, in the second car, it will come to you anyway a bit more naturally."

When asked if Lawson's struggles highlighted Perez's poor performance last year, Verstappen emphasized the underlying car issues. "Maybe we can now see how difficult it is to drive that car," he remarked. "I don't think you need to have a look at anyone, to be honest. What has been done has been done. I think it's more important that we take a good look at ourselves and just keep on working and keep on improving the car. I don't care what anyone else thinks. Or poor Checo, or poor this, or poor that. At the end of the day, we got ourselves into this situation, so we just need to work on it."

As the Japanese Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Red Bull to see how this latest team adjustment plays out on the track.

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