Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson at Red Bull - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Lawson 'compares' himself to Verstappen: ‘Impressive to see that’

09:01, 08 Oct

Updated: 10:46, 08 Oct

byOlly Darcy

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson says he has been "comparing" himself to Max Verstappen and notes how it is "impressive to see what he does".

"I've only raced in two races as his teammate, but even just seeing him from afar tells you a lot."

- Liam Lawson on Max Verstappen

The New Zealander started the 2025 season beside the four-time world champion at Red Bull after just starting 11 Grands Prix in F1 before.

However, a difficult start to the campaign saw Lawson replaced after just two races by Yuki Tsunoda, moving back down to Racing Bulls. But the short time spent on the same team as Verstappen was hugely valuable.

"I've only raced in two races as his teammate, but even just seeing him from afar tells you a lot," the 23-year-old said while speaking to Automoto.it.

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

"All the teams share data that others can see. Basic information, GPS.

"I've been comparing myself to Max for a few years now, and it's impressive to see what he does.

"He's simply very fast, very consistent, very comfortable with the car.

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Lawson continued by talking about his departure from Red Bull: "The timing wasn't the best. I only had a week before a hat-trick [of races] (Lawson did two Grands Prix and a Sprint, ed.).

"Those were hectic times. The car also required a fairly different driving approach. I had to re-adapt, and since then, we've also made some changes to make me more comfortable over the course of a few races.

"Obviously, the ideal would be to do all this before the start of the season, but I think it's a process that has helped me feel comfortable in the last few races.”

Liam Lawson after qualifying P3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Lawson bounces back after painful start

It was a painful start to the 2025 season for Lawson after getting demoted from Red Bull. But now, the New Zealander looks to have rediscovered his form.

A career-best weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, highlighted by qualifying in P3, saw the 23-year-old rise up the drivers' standings, now sitting on 30 points and just nine points off high-flying rookie and teammate Isack Hadjar.

It has not all been perfect since making his return to Racing Bulls, however, stating how he struggled at the beginning of the year due to his lack of testing in 2025.

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