The blood of Martin Brundle is boiling over Red Bull and Max Verstappen.
That’s how heated the situation has become amid claims the seven-time world champion lobbied to deny Liam Lawson a 2027 contract following a Mexican GP incident. The F1 analyst called the alleged reasoning “so childish” in São Paulo, while Lawson himself admits he’s “at a loss” for what else he must do to secure his future.
Lawson, on the cusp of his best-ever season with Racing Bulls, faces an uncertain future despite his on-track success. The team, meanwhile, is poised for its best-ever constructor result, creating a painful dilemma for the Milton Keynes leadership.
The Lawson Conundrum: Performance vs. Pedigree
After a tumultuous start to 2025, he has rebuilt his reputation, becoming the king of the midfield. According to RacingNews365, the New Zealander has amassed 69 points, a significant contribution to his team’s charge. The team is on track to secure a historic fifth place in the constructors’ championship, a landmark achievement in its 21-year history.
Yet, his stellar form has not brought the clarity he desires. When asked in Brazil if his results should guarantee his seat for 2027, Lawson’s response was telling: “Ik weet niet wat ze nog meer van me verwachten, maar ja, het is op dit moment gewoon een lastige situatie,” he stated, per RacingNews365.
The lack of a decision, now extending towards the Las Vegas finale, leaves him with dwindling options. “Als zoiets tot het allerlaatste moment wordt uitgesteld, blijven er eigenlijk nauwelijks opties over,” he added, highlighting the precariousness of his position.
Brundle Dismisses Verstappen's Alleged Intervention in Lawson's Future
The controversy ignited when F1 Matt Coch alleged that Verstappen had personally intervened in Lawson’s future. The claim, as reported by gp33.nl, suggests Verstappen lobbied Red Bull’s top brass after an on-track incident with Lawson during Free Practice 2 in Mexico. This alleged intervention reportedly scuppered talks for a new contract for the Kiwi.
The reaction from former driver turned Martin Brundle was swift and scathing. Speaking from São Paulo, Brundle dismissed the notion that a simple on-track incident could be a valid reason to drop a driver performing at Lawson’s level.
“Als hij [Lawson] het zou durven om op hetzelfde moment als Max op het circuit te zijn tijdens een voorbereidingsronde, en als dat een reden is waarom hij de laan is uitgestuurd, dan is dat belachelijk. Dat is zo kinderachtig. Ik kan niet geloven dat zo is. Ik denk dat het gewoon een smoes is als ze dat als reden aanvoeren”, Brundle stated to Sky Sports F1.
This sentiment was echoed by Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane, who admitted to the frustration surrounding the delay. Motorsport.com reported Permane explaining, “We proberen er een beetje wetenschap op los te laten, en dat kost wat tijd… We hebben geen haast om iets te doen, en ik heb er alle vertrouwen in dat de juiste beslissing wordt genomen.”
Nikola Tsolov Creates Strategic Dilemma for Red Bull Development Squad
Once a simple development squad, it is now expected to compete on its own merits while also serving as a direct feeder for the Red Bull Racing senior team. This is where the emergence of Bulgarian prodigy Nikola Tsolov creates a complex strategic dilemma.
Tsolov’s meteoric rise in Formula 2, where he holds a commanding lead with six victories, has put him on a fast track to F1. As GPFans notes, this positions Racing Bulls in an unenviable spot.
Lawson is delivering the results now, but Tsolov represents the future value of the Red Bull driver program. Permane himself acknowledged this, stating Lawson niet langer voorkomt in de langetermijnplannen van het team uit Milton Keynes, even as the Kiwi’s performance warrants retention.
A Tense Paddock Standoff
In a scene captured by GPFans, pit Ted Kravitz directly confronted Permane about the Lawson situation. As Kravitz began to ask about the team’s driver choices, Permane simply shook his head and walked away without comment.
Kravitz then posed a critical question to the retreating team boss: “En ze kunnen hem nu niet ontslaan, of wel?” before adding his own cynical take: “Nou, ze kunnen het wel. Ze zouden het misschien wel doen.”
Kravitz, like many, advocates for a more measured approach, suggesting that even if Red Bull doubts Lawson for a full season, a compromise exists. “Als het niet uitpakt, geef Lawson een half seizoen en zeg dat we Tsolov in de tweede helft van het seizoen gaan zetten, zodat je in ieder geval wat tijd hebt”, Kravitz proposed. “At least you buy some time.”
With the 2026 season nearing its conclusion, the Racing Bulls team is taking its time to make a decision that will impact Lawson’s future and the team’s lineup.
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