Verstappen Stands by Instagram 'Like' Amid Red Bull Driver Shakeup

Max Verstappen confirmed that his recent Instagram activity — liking a post criticizing Red Bull’s early season driver swap — was entirely intentional. The Dutch driver clarified ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix that he agreed with the post's sentiment regarding the controversial decision. Verstappen emphasized that his actions were deliberate and reflected his genuine feelings about the situation.

The controversy began when Liam Lawson was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after just two races into the new Formula One season. Lawson, who moved to Red Bull's junior team Racing Bulls, expressed surprise at his sudden demotion. Many within the F1 community questioned Red Bull’s hasty decision-making, sparking a wider debate over the pressures faced by young drivers.

Following the swap, Verstappen’s Instagram account liked a post made by former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde. The post heavily criticized Red Bull's choice, suggesting it resembled "bullying" rather than a performance-based decision. Van der Garde pointed out that while performance pressure is high in F1, Lawson deserved more time to prove himself without having his spirit crushed.

In his post, van der Garde acknowledged Lawson's hard work and dedication to reach Formula One, arguing that two races were hardly enough to fairly assess the young driver’s potential. He emphasized that even Lawson himself would have been aware of his underperformance, and harsh judgment after such a short window was unjust.

When asked about the situation during media interviews, Verstappen didn’t shy away. He confirmed, as reported by Sky Sports, that he genuinely liked the message and that his action was not accidental. Verstappen also shared that he had spoken personally with Lawson after the team changes were made. However, he chose not to go into detail about their private conversations.

The four-time world champion explained that discussions regarding the swap — and broader topics — had already taken place internally within Red Bull. He felt that not every opinion or critique needed to be aired publicly. Verstappen stressed the importance of handling team matters privately to maintain unity and focus, especially during a crucial stage of the season.

Meanwhile, the championship battle remains fierce, with Verstappen sitting second in the drivers' standings, trailing McLaren’s Lando Norris by eight points. Lawson, unfortunately, failed to score points in his two starts, while Tsunoda managed three points racing for the Racing Bulls. Now, Tsunoda looks forward to making his Red Bull debut at his home race in Japan.

Tsunoda expressed immense excitement about racing for Red Bull in front of his home fans, calling it the "best situation ever." He acknowledged that his main role would be to stay as close to Verstappen as possible during races, understanding that Verstappen remains the team's clear priority. Tsunoda also aims to aid the team's car development with his feedback, though he admits matching Verstappen's performance will be a significant challenge.