Liam Lawson on Max Verstappen Comparisons: Let’s Be Real, People!
Let’s set the record straight: Liam Lawson is good. But is he Max Verstappen good? Not yet—and he knows it.
The young Kiwi has stepped into the high-pressure world of Red Bull Racing, where his main rival is none other than a four-time World Champion who has been obliterating the competition for years.
And yet, some people actually expect Lawson to waltz into Red Bull, outqualify Verstappen, and start winning races from Day 1.
To those people, Liam Lawson has one word: “stupid.”
Red Bull’s Rising Star: Liam Lawson’s Journey to the Top
Before we get into the Lawson-Verstappen debate, let’s appreciate how quickly Liam Lawson has climbed the ranks in Formula 1.
After making waves in Formula 2 and Super Formula, Lawson got his big break in 2023, stepping in for Red Bull’s junior team during driver absences. He impressed enough to earn a full-time seat in 2024, and in a dramatic twist, Red Bull promoted him to the senior team alongside Verstappen for the 2025 season.
Now, the young Kiwi is thrown into the deep end, driving one of the fastest cars on the grid with the expectation of keeping up with a driver who eats pole positions for breakfast and dominates race weekends like a machine.
So, naturally, some people think Lawson should already be challenging Verstappen.
Cue the facepalm. 🤦♂️
Liam Lawson: “If You Think I Can Beat Verstappen Already, You Are Stupid”
In a recent interview with Dutch publication De Telegraaf, Lawson didn’t mince words when addressing the highly ambitious expectations some fans have.
“In this sport, your teammate is your biggest competitor – but my teammate is also Max Verstappen,” Lawson said.
“A four-time champion, who has been with this team for almost a decade. For me, it’s a great opportunity to learn from him and develop myself.”
Translation: Y’all need to chill.
Lawson recognizes the massive experience gap between him and Verstappen. He knows that outperforming Max right away is not a realistic goal—and anyone who thinks otherwise needs a reality check.
“I am still very inexperienced, I am aware of that. If anyone thinks you can just beat Max when you are just coming in, then you are just stupid.”
Brutal. Honest. 10/10 response.
Can Liam Lawson Catch Up to Max Verstappen?
While Lawson fully accepts that Verstappen is on another level right now, he isn’t content with just being a background character in the Red Bull story.
The Kiwi sensation has big goals, and he intends to close the gap over time.
“My goal is to get up to Verstappen’s pace eventually, but it’s not realistic for that to be expected immediately.”
That’s the right mindset. Patience, skill development, and learning from the best will be key to Lawson’s success.
We’ve seen rookies struggle under pressure before (cough Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon cough), and Lawson is clearly determined to avoid that fate.
The Red Bull Hierarchy: Where Does Lawson Fit?
At Red Bull, the second seat has always been a high-risk, high-reward gig. If Lawson struggles, history suggests he could be swapped out faster than a pit stop.
🔴 Daniel Ricciardo – Left Red Bull before Verstappen became a champion (smart move in hindsight).
🔴 Pierre Gasly – Demoted after half a season in 2019.
🔴 Alex Albon – Same fate as Gasly in 2020.
🔴 Sergio Perez – Managed to survive but always played the “support driver” role.
Lawson needs to prove that he belongs, and his biggest advantage might actually be his self-awareness. Instead of making bold claims, he’s approaching things the right way—learning from Verstappen, adapting to the Red Bull machine, and biding his time.
If he can avoid meltdowns and mid-season demotions, he has a real shot at establishing himself as Verstappen’s long-term teammate—or perhaps, Red Bull’s next big star.
FAQs: Liam Lawson vs. Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Battle
Lawson proved himself in junior categories and impressed during his F1 stints in 2023 and 2024. Red Bull saw his potential and decided to take a gamble on him as Verstappen’s teammate.
Not immediately. Lawson himself admits it’s unrealistic, but over time, he hopes to close the gap and challenge Verstappen’s dominance.
Before Red Bull promoted Lawson, they had Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo as options. However, they chose to go with the younger, long-term investment.
Stay consistent, avoid the mistakes of Gasly & Albon, absorb knowledge from Verstappen, and improve steadily over the season.
It’s possible! If Verstappen ever leaves for another challenge, and Lawson develops into a title contender, he could become the new face of Red Bull Racing.
Conclusion: Liam Lawson is Smart, But Can He Be the Next Big Thing?
Liam Lawson’s “just stupid” remark wasn’t arrogance—it was a reality check. He’s not here to instantly dethrone Max Verstappen, and he knows that would be an impossible expectation.
But that doesn’t mean he’s settling for second-best forever.
With the right development, mindset, and patience, he could grow into a serious contender. If he avoids the Red Bull second-seat curse, we might be looking at a future Formula 1 superstar.
For now, though, expect Verstappen to continue dominating while Lawson learns the ropes.
And to those who still believe Lawson should be beating Verstappen already…
You heard the man.
“You are stupid.“ 🤷♂️😂
