Genius of Verstappen masks real situation of Lawson and Red Bull

Fourth place in a Grand Prix is never a position that makes Max Verstappen happy. But in Shanghai, after the Chinese Grand Prix, the reigning world champion was at peace with the result. More was simply not in the cards, the Red Bull Racing driver was that realistic. Indeed, he had already managed to get more out of the RB21 than was actually in it.

For almost a year now, Verstappen has been warning that Red Bull has gone completely in the wrong direction with the development of its cars. Barely two seasons ago, the team won all but one Grand Prix, and now Red Bull is fourth on the grid in terms of performance. That Verstappen is still second in the championship after two races is because of Verstappen, just as the world title in 2024 was really won by Verstappen himself.

Lawson not to be compared to Verstappen

The difference between Verstappen and Lawson at the moment is immense. Remember, last season the New Zealander managed to do fine at times, but once in the hard-to-handle RB21, he looks like an amateur. Especially when weighed against how Verstappen is doing. What is the anomaly here? Probably Verstappen is getting 110 per cent out of his car, where Lawson is stuck at 95 per cent. That's the difference.

Can Lawson be blamed for that? Partly. He really can do better than qualifying 20th. But is it realistic to think the New Zealander - or any other number two at Red Bull - will be one spot behind Verstappen every week? No, because Verstappen is doing otherworldly things.

Hopefully for Lawson, Red Bull will see at the emergency meeting on Thursday that the biggest problem is the quality of the car, rather than Liam Lawson. Comparing him to Max Verstappen is therefore unfair, because nobody does what the four-time champion can do. Absolutely nobody. Verstappen really is too brilliant at that.