Max Verstappen’s patience seems to have reached its limit. The three-time F1 world champion, accustomed to having everything under control at Red Bull, would not be at all happy about the possibility of Liam Lawson taking his teammate’s seat. In an explosive turn of events, Verstappen has reportedly expressly asked the Austrian team’s top brass to retain Sergio “Checo” Perez for the 2025 season.

THE PROTECTED ONE WHO BECAME A THREAT?

Liam Lawson, the young New Zealander who surprised everyone in 2023 by temporarily replacing Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, has been seen as the future of Red Bull. With undeniable talent and no fear of making a strong entrance, many believe it is only a matter of time before he dethrones Checo Pérez and takes the second seat in the main team. However, this meteoric rise does not please Verstappen at all.

Inside sources have revealed that Max does not want a hungry youngster as a teammate. He has already found himself in difficult situations when he has had to compete against drivers who challenge his hierarchy, and the last thing he wants is a “Russell” or a “Leclerc” inside his own garage. Verstappen prefers stability and control, two things that he has achieved with Checo, despite some friction in the past.

CHECO PÉREZ: THE PERFECT SQUIRE

Despite his inconsistent performances in 2023 and 2024, Perez has fulfilled his role as second driver, accepting without complaint Verstappen’s supremacy in the team. Red Bull needs points, but it also needs peace, and Checo has shown that he is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good.

On the other hand, Liam Lawson is a driver who has no intention of settling for being anyone’s number two. His arrival could alter the internal dynamics of Red Bull, something that neither Verstappen nor his team want to risk experiencing. The last time Red Bull allowed an internal fight between its drivers (Vettel vs. Webber, Ricciardo vs. Verstappen), the consequences were disastrous.

HELLEMARKO AND HORNER IN A DILEMMA

Helmut Marko and Christian Horner face a difficult decision. On the one hand, they have an experienced, loyal Checo Pérez who has a relatively stable relationship with Verstappen. On the other, they have Lawson, a risky bet but with enormous potential.

Verstappen’s opinion is a determining factor in this equation. Although he is not officially the one who makes the decisions, his influence within the team is undeniable. If the Dutchman has made it clear that he does not want Lawson as a teammate, Red Bull could be forced to renew Checo’s contract or find an intermediate solution.

THE NETWORKS ARE BURNING: FEAR OR STRATEGY?

Reactions on social media have not been long in coming. While some defend Verstappen’s stance, others accuse him of being afraid of a real challenge within the team. “If Max is as good as they say, why is he afraid of Lawson?” asks one user on Twitter. Another responds: “It’s not a question of fear, it’s about maintaining stability at Red Bull.”

The decision over Red Bull’s second seat has become one of the hottest topics of the season. With media pressure mounting and rumours running rampant, the team will have to move cautiously to avoid triggering an internal schism.

THE UNCERTAIN FUTURE OF RED BULL

As Red Bull’s brass weigh up their options, Verstappen makes his stance clear: he wants Checo, not Lawson. Will he succeed in imposing his will once again, or will the board risk a radical change this time?

The only thing that is certain is that the drama within Red Bull is far from over. What do you think? Leave your comment and stay tuned for all the latest F1 news!