Verstappen remains fired up at Red Bull: 'I must prove myself every year'
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Max Verstappen has a new teammate in Liam Lawson for 2025, but not much has changed since Sergio Perez's departure. According to Verstappen, he's mainly focused on his own performance, stating that he still must perform in order to maintain his number-one role at Red Bull.
"It's going quite normally so far," Verstappen told Dutch media, including GPblog, about his short time alongside Liam Lawson. "He's a relaxed guy, so that's nice to deal with,'' Verstappen explained in Australia.
"In the end, it's still about what I myself want from the car. The dynamics, this and that... I get in the car, get out and say this is what I need and that is what I am working on. As nice as it is to get along well, in the end, I focus on my side," the Dutchman explained.
So, not much has changed for Verstappen since Sergio Perez’s departure. After four seasons together, a change on the other side of the Red Bull garage hasn't phased Verstappen. "In terms of how I'm working with my team, not at all, but it's nice when you have someone sitting next to you that you get on well with. I had that with Checo, but it's the same with Liam now."
Verstappen an 'open book' to support Lawson
For the first time, Verstappen is the oldest driver at Red Bull Racing. While he was already the clear team leader alongside Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon, he wasn’t the oldest whilst they shared the Red Bull garage with him. With Lawson, the dynamic is different—partly because Verstappen has gained a lot more experience since those days. Lawson, after all, is yet to compete a full season in Formula 1.
''Back then I was not yet a world champion, so in terms of experience I have progressed myself. Liam is also a lot younger than me, so I think he will naturally look at me more in terms of experience and data. That's also normal, I did the same with Daniel (Ricciardo)." Verstappen has nothing to hide from the young Kiwi, he explained. ''If he asks me questions. I'm an open book, I'm always open and honest about that.''
Verstappen has no guaranteed role as Red Bull Racing’s number-one driver. Although he is the reigning champion, the Red Bull driver must maintain his good performance to keep his number one role, he believes. “Sometimes teams bring in drivers with a certain hierarchy. I’m a four-time world champion, but I still have to prove myself every year,” the four-time world champion concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Tim Kraaj
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