Max Verstappen warns team-mate Liam Lawson: “A leap into the deep end”

The most important decision regarding the 2027 driver line-up has been made: Max Verstappen will continue to race for Red Bull Racing, having extended his contract early until the end of 2030.

The three-time Dutch Grand Prix winner said in the paddock at his home circuit, Zandvoort: “The most important thing for me is that I feel comfortable, and that’s the case at Red Bull Racing. If I were in the fastest team in 2026 but didn’t feel at home there, it wouldn’t last long.”

“I feel at home at Red Bull Racing; I have confidence in the team that we’ll get back on the winning track – that’s our goal. I want to keep winning; I’m raring to go.”

“Red Bull also allows me to pursue my goals outside of Formula 1; I’m grateful for that, and I wouldn’t have that kind of opportunity everywhere. I’m well aware of that.”

Verstappen isn’t worried by the fact that some key figures have left Red Bull Racing. “Changes like that are part and parcel of Formula 1, and we mustn’t forget that good people are stepping up to fill the gaps. I can see the efforts being made here to win Grands Prix again – that was one of the reasons why I’m staying here. I know they’re doing everything they can to give me a good car, and they know that I’ll do everything for them to achieve a good result.”

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“I can sense that fundamental hunger within the team, which has never gone away. For example, we’ve done a very good job with our own power unit, but we want to keep getting better – including with the race car itself and in our day-to-day work. The desire to constantly improve is a mindset I share, and that’s one of the reasons why this team remains my family.”

“Ultimately, it wasn’t particularly stressful for me to come to the conclusion that I’m staying here. Because I’m convinced: we’ll get back to the top.”

“The regulations also played a part. Admittedly, everything was rather strange at the start of the year, but I’ve now got used to this generation of engines, and I know what’s in the pipeline to further improve the car’s handling.”

“It’s a shame, of course, that this weekend marks our final race at Zandvoort and that I’m losing my home race. I’ll miss this brilliant layout; it’s a track with all the old-school charm, a track with real character. And then there are those fabulous fans! Even if I weren’t Dutch, I’d love the circuit and the spectators.”

“Last Tuesday I heard that I’ll be getting a different team-mate, Liam Lawson, because Isack has injured his hand. It won’t be an easy weekend for Liam, as he’s never driven this year’s RBR car before; on top of that, we’ve got a sprint weekend here, which means Liam only has one free practice session before it’s straight into sprint qualifying. It’s a leap into the deep end.”

Verstappen and Lawson were already team-mates at the start of 2025. Back then, the New Zealander was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after just two Grand Prix weekends because Lawson’s performances left a lot to be desired.