Red Bull drama set to continue with Verstappen 'friction'

Max Verstappen could be set for yet another tumultuous year in Formula 1 as further drama has been predicted for the champion alongside his new Red Bull team-mate Liam Lawson.

The 22-year-old replaced Sergio Perez at Red Bull for 2025, after the Mexican star’s inconsistent performances saw the team drop to third in the constructors’ championship, despite Verstappen claiming a fourth world drivers' title.

F1 HEADLINES: Horner ‘questions’ raised as Geri Halliwell delivers impactful statement

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton reveals A-list relationship after Wimbledon meeting

Whilst his performances ultimately meant his position at Red Bull was unsustainable, Perez’s relationship with team-mate Verstappen has seen the team enjoy a harmonious period with a clear number one and two driver since he joined the team in 2021.

In contrast, Lawson's previous on-track antics do little to suggest he will be a peaceful team-mate, with the Kiwi embroiled in fiery on-track exchanges with Fernando Alonso in Austin and Perez in Mexico last season.

READ MORE: Vettel leads emotional Schumacher tribute

Will Lawson and Verstappen clash as team-mates?

Verstappen’s aggressive racing style also came under fire in 2024, particularly in his on-track battles with title rival Lando Norris at the US and Mexican Grands Prix.

The McLaren star has admitted he needs to match Verstappen’s unrelenting force in 2025 if he wants to win the title, with former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya also stating that to win against the Dutchman, any driver has to 'be ready to crash'.

Montoya also added that if Lawson’s 2024 incidents are anything to go by, he would likely have ‘friction’ with Verstappen, warning Red Bull to be poised for team-mate drama during in 2025.

"If you look at Liam, he had his run-ins with people last year and everything," Montoya told Mundo Deportivo.

“And what is going to happen between Liam and Max? Believe me. How much respect is Liam going to give Max? I don’t think too much. Initially people will find it very funny and everything, but it's going to create a lot of friction," he commented.

READ MORE: Ricciardo verdict reached on F1 return after NEW team confirmation

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Max Verstappen in private jet summit with Red Bull bosses after Chinese Grand Prix disaster

• 2 hours ago

Youngest F1 race winners: All-time list as Kimi Antonelli joins the hall of fame

• Today 08:23

Max Verstappen is the real winner over F1 race cancellations

• Yesterday 21:42

Honda issue statement on Aston Martin 'excuse' after double DNF at Chinese Grand Prix

• Yesterday 20:56

Max Verstappen hits back at awful F1 starts: 'I'm not an idiot'

• Yesterday 20:13

'It's a joke': Max Verstappen at his limit after Chinese Grand Prix DNF

• Yesterday 18:42