Liam Lawson has conceded to a degree of envy at the position Max Verstappen currently finds himself in.
Red Bull reserve driver Lawson has appreciated the advice he has received from three-time champion Verstappen since making his F1 debut with then-AlphaTauri last season in what proved to be a five-race cameo after Daniel Ricciardo broke a bone in his left hand.
What Lawson feels he has learned from the 26-year-old Dutchman is his relaxed approach to criticism, akin to water off a duck’s back.
Verstappen has faced his fair share of comments over time, particularly during his formative years in F1, and again when going head-to-head with Lewis Hamilton for what proved to be a contentious world title triumph in 2021.
Yet Verstappen has won three consecutive titles, is in a comfortable position so far this season in pursuit of claiming a fourth, and has also won 60 grands prix.
Assessing Verstappen’s mentality, speaking to TalkSport, Lawson said: “I think Max is pretty clear that he’s not too fussed about what people think.
“I think it would be a pretty cool position to be in to win so much that you’re hated for it.
“It’s something he’s not worried about, I mean he has a huge fan base anyway, outside of the people that don’t like him so much, so he’s got nothing to worry about.”
