Jos Verstappen Offers Crucial Advice to Liam Lawson Ahead of F1 2025

As Liam Lawson prepares for his first full season with Red Bull Racing in 2025, there are plenty of eyes on the young Kiwi. Lawson, who impressed during his stint alongside Yuki Tsunoda last season, now finds himself in a highly competitive position, as he will be driving alongside Max Verstappen, one of the most dominant figures in Formula 1 history. While Lawson has been quick to express excitement about the opportunity to learn from the four-time F1 World Champion, Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, has some important advice for him to consider.

Lawson’s Challenge with Red Bull Racing

Stepping into a Red Bull Racing seat is no small feat. The team’s expectations are sky-high, particularly with Verstappen’s undeniable dominance in recent years. Lawson, with only 11 Grand Prix weekends under his belt, has a steep learning curve ahead. His primary responsibility will be to support Max in his pursuit of both the Constructors’ Championship and his continued success in the individual standings. However, there’s a balancing act between assisting his teammate and trying to establish his own position within the team.

Jos Verstappen Warns Lawson About Overexerting Himself

Reflecting on his own F1 journey, Jos Verstappen cautioned Lawson against trying to keep up with Max at all costs, a mistake he himself made early in his career. In 1994, Jos raced for Benetton alongside Michael Schumacher and attempted to match the German’s pace despite lacking experience. Jos admits that his drive to be as fast as Schumacher led to mistakes and ultimately a challenging first season. Drawing from his experience, Jos advised Lawson to take a more cautious and measured approach in his rookie season.

He told F1-Insider.com, “He shouldn’t make the same mistake I made at Benetton in 1994 – wanting to keep up at all costs. I really wanted to drive as fast as Michael, especially in races, but I couldn’t do that with my limited experience at the time. That’s why I made mistakes.”

Liam Lawson’s Focus on Learning and Opportunity

While Lawson is aware of the immense challenge ahead, he remains focused on maximizing the opportunity to learn from the best. He acknowledges Max’s confidence and skill, noting that adapting to the Red Bull car will require both consistency and patience. Lawson has expressed that his primary goal for 2025 is not to compete directly with Max, but to use the data and insight he gains alongside him to improve his own skills.

“Max Verstappen is the best in the world right now,” Lawson said. “To go up against the best guy, is always going to be very, very tough. It’s not about out-qualifying him, but learning from him and having access to his data.”

The Red Bull Dynamic: Max Verstappen’s Role as a Mentor

The collaboration between Max and Lawson could mirror the mentorship Michael Schumacher offered to Max in the past. Despite the fierce competition on track, Jos Verstappen recognizes that Max shares many qualities with Schumacher, including their uncompromising attitude during races and their kind, sensitive nature off the track. This dynamic could serve as an invaluable resource for Lawson as he adjusts to life at Red Bull Racing.

In the 2025 F1 season, Liam Lawson faces a challenging but exciting year as he steps up alongside Max Verstappen. With Jos Verstappen’s guidance, Lawson hopes to avoid the pitfalls of rushing to match his teammate’s pace and instead focus on developing as a driver in an environment where every bit of knowledge is a stepping stone to success.