Verstappen unleashed a psychological attack by calling Liam Lawson’s mistake in Bahrain stupid. But is he deliberately humiliating his junior to cement his F1 crown

Max Verstappen, the reigning three-time Formula 1 World Champion, is no stranger to controversy, both on and off the track. Known for his ruthless driving style and unapologetic attitude, Verstappen has once again sparked debate by criticizing Liam Lawson’s mistake in Bahrain, calling it “stupid.”

While some believe Verstappen was simply speaking his mind, others suspect a deeper psychological game at play. Could this be an attempt to humiliate his junior to assert dominance within Red Bull and secure his long-term F1 supremacy?

In this article, we break down the incident, Verstappen’s history of mind games, and what it could mean for Red Bull’s future.

What Happened in Bahrain?

The 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix marked the highly anticipated return of Liam Lawson to the F1 grid after his impressive stand-in performances for AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App RB) in 2023. Expectations were high, but Lawson made a costly mistake during the race, leading to an early exit.

• The mistake: Lawson misjudged a braking point in a crucial overtaking battle, locking up and sending his car into the gravel.
• The reaction: Verstappen, when asked about the incident, didn’t hold back, calling Lawson’s move “a stupid mistake” that shouldn’t happen at this level.
• The backlash: Fans and analysts immediately questioned Verstappen’s harsh words, with many arguing that a reigning champion should support junior drivers, not humiliate them.

Was Verstappen’s criticism justified?

While some see Verstappen’s comments as brutal honesty, others view them as unnecessary and calculated. Let’s examine both sides of the argument.

1. Verstappen Was Just Being Honest

Verstappen has always been direct and outspoken, and his criticism of Lawson might not have been personal.

• Mistakes are costly in F1: At the highest level of motorsport, even minor errors can ruin a race, and Verstappen knows this better than anyone.
• He holds high standards: Verstappen demands perfection from himself and expects the same from others—especially drivers within the Red Bull system.
• It’s a tough environment: Red Bull’s driver program is notorious for its ruthlessness, and Verstappen may have simply been reinforcing this mentality.

However, while his words may be technically correct, the tone and delivery raise bigger questions.

2. Was Verstappen sending a message?

Some believe Verstappen’s comments were more than just honest feedback—they were a power move aimed at establishing his psychological dominance.

• Public humiliation as a tactic: Calling out a teammate or junior driver in front of the media can crush their confidence and reinforce the hierarchy within the team.
• Eliminating future threats: Lawson is seen as a rising talent in the Red Bull system. Could Verstappen be preemptively crushing his confidence to ensure he remains the undisputed leader?
• A lesson in respect: Verstappen may be reminding younger drivers that they must earn their place and shouldn’t expect an easy rise in Red Bull’s ranks.

While Verstappen has proven himself as one of the greatest drivers of his generation, his aggressive approach to leadership has made him a polarizing figure in the paddock.

Verstappen’s History of Psychological Warfare

This isn’t the first time Verstappen has engaged in mental games with other drivers. Throughout his career, he has used mind games and public criticism as weapons.

1. Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton (2021)

During his epic 2021 title battle with Hamilton, Verstappen frequently used press conferences and radio messages to send psychological jabs at his rival.

• He accused Hamilton of receiving “special treatment” from the FAA.
• He dismissed Hamilton’s experience as irrelevant in their head-to-head battles.
• He refused to acknowledge any psychological pressure, putting all the heat on Hamilton.

This mental warfare destabilized Hamilton, leading to one of the most heated F1 seasons in history.

2. Verstappen vs. Sergio Pérez (2022-2023)

Even within his own team, Verstappen has asserted dominance over Sergio Pérez, both on and off the track.

• Refusing to help Pérez in Brazil 2022 sparked speculation that Verstappen was ensuring Red Bull remained his team.
• Publicly questioning Pérez’s performance reinforced the idea that he was Red Bull’s undisputed number one driver.
• Dismissing team orders when convenient demonstrated that Verstappen does what he wants within Red Bull.

If he can mentally weaken a veteran like Pérez, what chance does a young driver like Liam Lawson have against Verstappen’s tactics?

How Will This Affect Red Bull’s Future?

The Verstappen-Lawson incident raises important questions about Red Bull’s future driver lineup and team environment.

1. Is Red Bull becoming too toxic?

Red Bull’s aggressive approach to driver development has led to rapid promotions and brutal dismissals. Verstappen’s latest attack on Lawson could discourage young drivers from fully expressing their potential in the fear of public criticism.

• If junior drivers feel mentally crushed before they even get a chance, could this hurt Red Bull’s long-term driver pipeline?
• Will Red Bull’s management step in to prevent Verstappen from overstepping his authority within the team?

2. Could This Backfire on Verstappen?

Verstappen is at the peak of his career, but every champion eventually faces a decline. By alienating young talent, he could be creating enemies who will one day rise against him.

• If Lawson or another young driver joined a rival team, Verstappen could have created his own future nemesis.
• If Red Bull’s management grows tired of Verstappen’s influence, could they consider an eventual shift in leadership?

History has shown that no driver is untouchable—not even Verstappen.

Will Lawson respond?

Now that Verstappen has thrown down the gauntlet, the big question is: How will Liam Lawson respond?

• Will he accept the criticism and work harder, proving Verstappen wrong with stronger performances?
• Will he fire back with his own comments, signaling that he won’t be bullied?
• Will he stay quiet and let his driving do the talking?

If Lawson wants to survive in Red Bull’s high-pressure environment, he must prove that he has the mental resilience to withstand Verstappen’s mind games.

Conclusion: A Ruthless Power Move or Just Brutal Honesty?

Max Verstappen’s “stupid mistake” comment about Liam Lawson’s Bahrain error has ignited yet another intense debate about his mentality, leadership, and competitive ruthlessness.

• Was this simply honest criticism from a perfectionist driver?
• Or was this a strategic psychological attack aimed at reinforcing his dominance within Red Bull?

Regardless of the answer, one thing is clear—Formula 1 remains a battleground, not just on the track but in the minds of its competitors. And Max Verstappen has once again proven that he’s willing to use every weapon at his disposal to remain on top.