The Formula 1 team were criticised by former racing driver Giedo van der Garde, who wrote on Instagram that Red Bull’s treatment of Lawson was “closer to bullying or a panic move”, a post that Verstappen liked on his official account.

Max Verstappen’s driving abilities may make all the difference when it comes to fighting for the win at Suzuka, despite Red Bull being slightly off McLaren’s pace. Red Bull heads into the Japanese Grand Prix with question marks over their outright pace,

The four-time world champion does not regret liking a tweet claiming replacing the 23-year-old was a ‘panic move’.

Max Verstappen has doubled down on his decision to “like” an Instagram post accusing Red Bull of “bullying” Liam Lawson.