Jos Verstappen warns Liam Lawson from repeating his mistake against Michael Schumacher in 1994
With Jos Verstappen having raced against a world champion as teammates, he gave advice to Liam Lawson for his partnership with Max Verstappen.
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Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson and Max Verstappen, images via Red Bull and PlanetF1
Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher have virtually destroyed multiple drivers’ careers. With Jos Verstappen being one of the victims of the German’s pure speed and resilience. Having tasted how distressing racing alongside a world champion-caliber driver is, Verstappen Sr. warned Red Bull-inbound Liam Lawson to recreate the same mistakes that he did during his time with Schumacher.
While Michael Schumacher often had fond relationships with his teammates and asserted his faith in stability, Max Verstappen is seemingly his polar opposite. The Dutchman has majorly outdone his teammates in a head-to-head comparison, leading to some careers being ended prematurely.
On the other hand, Verstappen’s father was once at the receiving end of this spectrum. He was teammates with the German for his debut season(1994) and was subsequently sacked due to his subpar performances.
Drawing parallels, Liam Lawson would make his debut with Red Bull this season and is expected to take the battle up a notch for the reigning champion. However, Jos Verstappen urged him to not repeat the mistakes that he made while racing against a world champion.
That he should not make the mistake I made at Benetton in 1994: trying to keep up with Max at all costs. He should do his own thing.
Jos Verstappen said (via F1 Insider)
Anyhow, Lawson would like to prove to Red Bull that he is much more than the rear gunner that they have hired him for. Thus, the 22-year-old would probably not follow the advice shared by Verstappen’s father and make a place for him within the Austrian giant.
Jos Verstappen concerned over Max Verstappen’s fifth title prospects
Verstappen is a four-time world champion, but he had to stage a stern title defense to retain his grasp over the crown. Red Bull plummeted in performance mid-way through the season, giving the Dutchman a pretty big scare. Though he was able to maintain his reign, the 2025 season would not be any easier.
Verstappen Sr. pooled in on the troubles going on in Milton Keynes. He asserted that he is doubtful about whether his son would be able to win his fifth title going by anything that the 2024 season has conveyed.
I’m a little doubtful. Red Bull needs to build a car that is more predictable in all conditions. Looking at the second half of 2024, you can’t be optimistic. Red Bull just hasn’t managed to make the car consistently fast, so why should that be the case this year?
Jos Verstappen said (via F1 Insider)
Verstappen’s father was not alone in raising such concerns. His 27-year-old son also admitted that Red Bull was given a wake-up call during the previous season, and the Austrian giant would have to get their things sorted before the start of the upcoming campaign.
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Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)