Red Bull shows that it really is Team Verstappen by signing Lawson
Red Bull Contentpool
General
- Ludo van Denderen
With Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing chose an inexperienced driver as teammate of Max Verstappen, who will not be bothered by the New Zealander. The latter is also probably the intention, because the Austrians, once again, consciously choose a driver who will not be internal competition for the four-time world champion. In this way, Red Bull Racing shows once again that it is Team Verstappen.
Red Bull Racing makes no secret of it: Max Verstappen is their man; the driver that everything revolves around within the team. The second driver of the Austrian racing team is really a second driver, someone who is not expected to compete for the world title among the drivers. Red Bull knows all too well: Against Verstappen, that person will lose anyway, so why bet on that?
Relationships within Red Bull very clear
In a way, the transfer of Lawson from Racing Bulls is good news for Verstappen. All focus remains on the Dutchman, and he must ensure the fifth world title in a row among the drivers. With the competition, those internal relationships are not as clear as at Red Bull.
Ferrari has two number ones in Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, while McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are fighting for preferential treatment. In these teams, the drivers will be taking valuable points from each other in the World Championship battle. Ideal for Verstappen.
If Red Bull had chosen Carlos Sainz, for example, then there would have been a driver who was at least under the assumption that he could compete with Verstappen. That would undoubtedly have led to internal commotion, and Red Bull is not waiting for that. Lawson obviously hopes to win the world title himself, but at the same time, it may be realistic to say that this will not happen as long as Verstappen is his teammate.
Lawson is expected to consistently take points from Ferrari and McLaren (and perhaps Mercedes). When possible, Lawson must drive to the podium. And if there is any misfortune with Verstappen, the New Zealander is supposed to go for the win. In short, his role is clear in advance. As is Verstappen's. He is the first man, Lawson his second.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy
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