Max Verstappen is unhappy with the recent decision to swap "battered boxer" Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda, according to Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko.
Verstappen liked an Instagram post from former racer Geido van Der Garde critical of Red Bull's decision shortly after it was made Thursday.
Van der Garde's post likened Lawson's treatment to "bullying."
Lawson was given just two races before getting the chop and Tsunoda has stepped up after 89 races at the junior team.
Marko has acknowledged Verstappen is frustrated by the way Lawson was swapped out so quickly.
"We know Max is not happy," Marko told De Telegraaf. "But we need two cars at the front. Not only for the constructors' championship, but also to help Max get his fifth world title."
Verstappen defended Lawson's performances earlier this year, saying the Racing Bulls car Tsunoda has been so impressive driving is easier to drive than the Red Bull RB21.
Red Bull justified the decision by saying Tsunoda's experience will help them troubleshoot the car.
Red Bull did not feel Lawson was in the right place to do that.
In a different interview, Marko explained how the Lawson decision came about and why the view on Tsunoda changed so rapidly this year.
"Yuki was too inconsistent," Marko told oe24 about Red Bull's initial call to go for Lawson. "That's why we unanimously decided in favor of Lawson. But he wasn't able to perform under the greater pressure, right from the first day in Australia.
"Then he went into a downward spiral. It's like a battered boxer, it's very difficult to get out of it. From that point of view, it was a mistake [to put Lawson in the Red Bull]."
He added: "In Australia, he had a turbo failure in the third practice session, losing mileage as a result. But of course, what he has done so far has not been enough. We need a strong second driver, if only for the team strategy."
