Lawson hits back at Brown’s Red Bull comments: “Don’t think he understands”

Liam Lawson has responded to McLaren CEO Zak Brown’s recent claims that Racing Bulls would be ahead of Red Bull if the Milton Keynes outfit didn’t have four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.

Verstappen’s future at Red Bull has once again come into question with rumours circulating that the Dutchman could be considering a move to Mercedes in the future. While Mercedes chief Toto Wolff confirmed that conversations between the two parties were ongoing, nothing has been formally announced yet, with a deal for 2026 still considered unlikely.

Brown addressed the rumours during the McLaren event in Trafalgar Square ahead of the British Grand Prix. 

“I’m a believer of when there’s smoke, there’s fire. If everyone was committed to their seats, that’s what they would be saying,” Brown explained to Sky Sports News. “The fact everyone’s talking and no one is confirming anything tells me there are conversations going on. I said a while ago I wouldn’t be surprised to see Max in a Mercedes.”

He added: “Red Bull would be behind Racing Bulls [without Verstappen]. They have done a great job and have a great racing car. I think Max is carrying them at the moment.”

When asked by Autosport if he agreed with Brown’s comments, Lawson responded: “I don’t think Zak Brown understands, honestly. So, yeah, it’s easy to comment on stuff when you’re not involved, and you’re outside of the picture, so I don’t think he understands.”

The New Zealander had signed with Red Bull for 2025, replacing Sergio Perez, but after just two races he was demoted to Racing Bulls as Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda took his place alongside Verstappen. 

After 11 races of the 24-race calendar, Red Bull is fourth in the constructors’ standings with 162 points. Verstappen has secured 155 of these, sitting third in the drivers’ championship, meaning that only seven of Red Bull’s points have been collected by Tsunoda. Racing Bulls, on the other hand, is sixth in the standings with 36 points.

Since joining Racing Bulls, Lawson has picked up 12 points, putting him 15th in the drivers’ standings. In comparison, Tsunoda has scored seven points at Red Bull and three at Racing Bulls, leaving him just 17th.