Ex-F1 driver names his pick for ideal Max Verstappen teammate instead of Liam Lawson

Former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger snubbed Liam Lawson to name his choice for Max Verstappen's teammate for this season.

Ex-F1 driver names his pick for ideal Max Verstappen teammate instead of Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Red Bull has signed Liam Lawson to partner Max Verstappen this year after parting ways with Sergio Perez. The Kiwi driver faces the challenge of matching the reigning world champion during his first full season in F1. Now, former F1 driver Gerhard Berger has named his choice for Lawson’s seat.

Berger emphasized that no driver could really come close to defeating Max Verstappen as his teammate at Milton Keynes. However, if the 65-year-old was in Red Bull’s shoes, he would’ve picked Carlos Sainz instead. Sainz was a free agent for 2025 after Lewis Hamilton announced his Ferrari deal.

There is probably no one who can compete with him, but I would certainly have stayed with Carlos Sainz.

Gerhard Berger told auto-motor-und-sport
YouTube video

Gerhard Berger insisted that having Liam Lawson at Red Bull was not a bad thing. Though, he wished that the Kiwi driver was given another season or two at sister team VCARB. Berger referred to VCARB as Toro Rosso, the name used by the Faenza-squad for over a decade.

Of course, it does not seem bad to me that Lawson was put next to Max, although perhaps it would have been better if the young boy had more experience first in Toro Rosso.

Gerhard Berger added

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson make a ‘good couple’

Berger recalled Lawson’s prior stint at German series DTM. The Red Bull driver raced alongside Alex Albon who had been sidelined in favor of Perez in 2021. Gerhard Berger reckoned that Liam Lawson was more aggressive than Albon that year. As such, the 65-year-old expects the Kiwi driver to make a good couple with Verstappen at Milton Keynes.

Liam Lawson and Max Verstappen (via Getty Images)
Liam Lawson and Max Verstappen (via Getty Images)

I already liked Lawson in the DTM.  He was faster and more aggressive than Albon, and Albon is doing a good job at Williams. So I recommended Helmut to take a look at it. I think Verstappen and Lawson could make a good couple.

Gerhard Berger stated

Certainly, Liam Lawson faces a stiff challenge this year. The 23-year-old will have to match Max Verstappen from the get-go under the prying eyes of Red Bull. However, Lawson seems to be motivated to face this task. It remains to be seen how things pan out when the season begins in Melbourne.