Harsh criticism of Red Bull: 'Only Verstappen can handle the RB21'

Former Le Mans winner Jeroen Bleekemolen fears that Red Bull Racing is sacking Lawson after just two Grands Prix. The analyst would "think that's very bad of the team" because the New Zealander needs "confidence" and "this way you only make it worse". "But he will be out soon, I'm afraid," he says to Formule1.nl.

Bleekemolen did acknowledge that Lawson started the F1 season off on the wrong foot. According to him, this is mainly down to the car Lawson has to deal with. "It is very stiff at the front and therefore very difficult to drive at the rear. That just suits Max's driving style. There is nobody apart from him who can handle that car."

Tsunoda would also 'fall through the ice'

Bleekemolen thinks it is already impossible for Lawson to find his way out of the situation he's in. Moreover, he sees no alternative, as "someone like Yuki Tsunoda would also fall through the ice". Indeed, in Bleekemolen's view, Red Bull is building a car entirely suited to Verstappen's driving style.

That teammates cannot handle this car is not down to them, according to the Dutchman. "Look at Alexander Albon, Pierre Gasly and also Sergio Pérez in the past. All of them guys who know how to race, but this situation is just very difficult. It's actually an impossible split."

This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen.