Max Verstappen says it ‘was not a mistake’ that he liked Instagram post criticizing Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda swap

Max Verstappen said that it “was not a mistake” that he liked an Instagram post criticizing Red Bull’s decision to swap Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda just two races into the new Formula One season.

Max Verstappen said that it “was not a mistake” that he liked an Instagram post criticizing Red Bull’s decision to swap Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda just two races into the new Formula One season. After a disappointing start to the year, Lawson was replaced at Red Bull by the Japanese fan favorite, with the Kiwi driver filling Tsunoda’s seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s developmental team. Lawson later said he was “surprised” by the demotion as the early move to shuffle the pack at Red Bull led to questions about the team’s decision-making. In the days after the swap, Verstappen’s official Instagram page liked a post from former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde which criticized Red Bull’s decision, saying he was “getting a bit tired of all the comments that F1 is the toughest sport in terms of performances and when you’re underdeliver you’ve gotta face the consequences.” “Yes, you gotta perform. Yes, the pressure is insane. But in my opinion this comes closer to bullying or a panic move than actual high athlete achievements,” van der Garde wrote. “They made a decision – fully aware – gave Liam two races only to crush his spirit. “Don’t forget the dedication, hard work and success Liam has put in his career so far to achieve the level where he is now. Yes, he underperformed the first two races – but if anyone’s aware of that it’s himself.”