Max Verstappen has responded bluntly to Johnny Herbert after the former Formula 1 steward accused the Red Bull star of threatening Liam Lawson’s future following their controversial collision at the Mexican Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion dismissed Herbert’s criticism, insisting he was not concerned about what the former driver had to say about him. Verstappen’s response comes after his remarks about Lawson following their confrontation during second practice in Mexico attracted considerable attention.
Although the incident happened during a practice session, the exchange exposed the competitive tensions between the two drivers and raised questions about how Red Bull’s internal relationships could influence its future lineup.
VERSTAPPEN DISMISSES HERBERT’S CRITICISM
Verstappen was involved in a controversial incident with Lawson during Friday’s second practice at the Mexican Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver attempted to overtake the Racing Bulls star approaching Turn 13, but Lawson defended his position aggressively.
Verstappen was forced off the track before making contact with Lawson as he returned over the kerb.
The Dutchman subsequently criticised Lawson’s approach, suggesting the New Zealander should have been more careful considering the uncertainty surrounding his Formula 1 future.
Speaking after the incident, Verstappen questioned whether Lawson’s decision was particularly intelligent, given the circumstances surrounding his Racing Bulls seat.
Those comments prompted Herbert to accuse the reigning champion of crossing a line.
JOHNNY HERBERT ACCUSES RED BULL STAR OF GOING TOO FAR
Herbert was particularly critical of Verstappen’s remarks about Lawson’s future.
The former Formula 1 driver argued that Verstappen was out of order for suggesting the Racing Bulls driver should behave differently because his position in the sport was uncertain.
Herbert described the Dutchman’s reaction as another example of his contrasting personalities, pointing towards the aggressive side that has frequently emerged during controversial moments.
He also questioned why such an intense confrontation had developed during a practice session rather than an actual race.
However, Herbert acknowledged Verstappen’s extraordinary performance during the Mexican Grand Prix, highlighting the difference between his controversial comments and his remarkable ability behind the wheel.
VERSTAPPEN DELIVERS BLUNT RESPONSE TO HERBERT
Verstappen was subsequently asked about Herbert’s criticism during an interview with Formule1.
The Red Bull driver made it clear that he was not interested in engaging in a prolonged dispute with the former steward.
Verstappen questioned Herbert’s reasoning before dismissing the criticism entirely.
His response suggested that the controversy was not something he considered worth spending additional time discussing.
Rather than escalating the argument, Verstappen focused on the conversation he had already held with Lawson following the Mexican Grand Prix incident.
LAWSON APOLOGISES AS RED BULL RIVALS CLEAR THE AIR
Lawson later revealed that he had spoken with Verstappen ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix and apologised to the four-time world champion.
Verstappen confirmed that the pair had discussed the incident and resolved their disagreement.
The Dutchman explained that he had nothing further to add because the situation had already been addressed privately.
He also acknowledged that Lawson was trying to make a strong impression, although Verstappen suggested the Racing Bulls driver should approach certain battles differently.
The development indicates that the confrontation did not permanently damage their relationship, despite the considerable attention it attracted.
LAWSON’S RED BULL FUTURE REMAINS UNDER SCRUTINY
The incident has become particularly significant because Lawson’s position within the Red Bull driver programme remains a major talking point.
The New Zealander has delivered encouraging performances during the 2026 season, including an impressive Brazilian Grand Prix weekend in which he qualified third.
However, Racing Bulls’ final decision regarding its 2027 lineup has yet to be officially confirmed in the report.
With Red Bull continuing to assess its driver options, Lawson will need to demonstrate that he can consistently deliver strong results while avoiding unnecessary controversies.
His confrontation with Verstappen may have attracted attention, but his performances on track remain the most important factor in determining his future.
VERSTAPPEN’S AUTHORITY AT RED BULL REMAINS A TALKING POINT
Verstappen’s influence within Red Bull is another reason why the Mexican GP confrontation attracted so much attention.
As the team’s established championship-winning driver, his opinions naturally carry considerable weight within the organisation.
However, there is an important distinction between Verstappen expressing frustration with another driver’s racing conduct and directly determining that driver’s contractual future.
Herbert’s criticism focused on the perception that Verstappen’s comments could place additional pressure on Lawson.
The Red Bull driver, meanwhile, has insisted that the disagreement has already been resolved.
A CONTROVERSY THAT COULD FOLLOW RED BULL INTO 2027
The Verstappen-Lawson confrontation may have ended privately, but its wider implications remain interesting.
Red Bull is entering another important period of driver planning, and Lawson’s performances could influence how the organisation approaches its future lineup.
The New Zealander will want to establish himself as a dependable Formula 1 driver, while Verstappen remains focused on maintaining Red Bull’s competitiveness.
Ultimately, the incident highlights how quickly tensions can develop between drivers competing within the same wider organisation.
For Lawson, the most effective response will be delivering strong performances consistently.
For Verstappen, the controversy is another reminder that his comments can generate significant attention even when the original incident happens during practice.
And for Red Bull, managing its driver relationships while making important decisions about 2027 could become one of the team’s biggest challenges heading into the next season.
