Verstappen: Main issue is that our car is not where we want it to be

Of course, that does not mean Verstappen but his teammate, as his statement comes in the aftermath of the Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda swap ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lawson was axed after two races only in the 2025 Red Bull Racing RB21, and that decision by the team attracted criticism at the time, with former Formula 1 driver Giedo van der Garde claiming the team was bullying the Kiwi in an Instagram post, which Verstappen duly liked.

The four-time F1 champ then removed the like but explained in Japan: "Well, I liked the text, so I guess that speaks for itself, right? It was not a mistake.

"My reaction was shared with the team, but in general. Not only the swap, but about everything. We discussed that already during the last race weekend and back at the factory."

Quizzed whether he agreed with the decision, he responded: "Sometimes it's not necessary to always share everything in public.

"I think our main issue is that our car is not where we want it to be," he went on. "Everyone knows that within the team as well and that's what I focus on, to be honest.

"Because as soon as the car is more competitive and more drivable in general, then I think even in the second car it will come to you anyway a bit more naturally.

"Liam did 11 races or something in total [before 2025] but over a different period of time," he said his now former teammate. "And I think for rookies the beginning of the season is very tough, because most of these tracks they haven't really driven on, or they merely have a sprint weekend. So all these scenarios don't help."

Explaining the issues with the RB21, Verstappen added: "It is a little bit more nervous, a little bit more unstable in different corner phases.

"I think it's a combination of a lot of things. It depends also on the corner speed, the tarmac, tyres, overheating, bumps, kerbs. Some tracks are more limiting than others.

"Some issues are easier to solve than others. Everyone is trying their hardest to make the car faster," the Red Bull ace concluded.