Red Bull Racing has confirmed that New Zealand driver Liam Lawson will take over from Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Lawson’s promotion was widely anticipated after Perez’s departure was announced the day prior. Lawson, 22, who has been part of Red Bull's junior program, will now join the senior team, a significant step in his career.
Lawson's Journey to Red Bull Racing
Liam Lawson made his F1 debut in 2023, stepping in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at the Dutch Grand Prix. His performance earned him a return for the final six races of the season after Ricciardo was dropped.
Expressing his excitement about his new role, Lawson said:
"To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me. This is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old. It’s been an incredible journey so far. A huge thank you to everyone at VCARB (AlphaTauri) for their support. The last six races have been key in preparing me for this next step. I’m super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a world champion. I have no doubt I’ll gain a lot from his expertise, and I can’t wait to get started."
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner's Support
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Team Principal, praised Lawson’s racing skills, calling him "a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top." He also reflected on the team's history of promoting talent, highlighting that Lawson follows in the footsteps of champions like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Horner acknowledged the challenge of Lawson racing alongside Verstappen, noting:
"Him racing alongside Max—a four-time champion and one of the greatest drivers F1 has ever seen—is certainly a daunting challenge. But I’m confident Liam can rise to the occasion and deliver impressive results for us next year."
Perez’s Departure and Red Bull’s Changing Lineup
Sergio Perez, who joined Red Bull in 2021, had a strong 2023 season, finishing second in the drivers' standings. However, he was far behind Verstappen, who dominated the season with a record-breaking 19 wins out of 22 races. Perez’s form has sharply declined in 2024, finishing only eighth in the standings, while Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title.
Since Verstappen’s arrival at Red Bull in 2016, several teammates, including Perez, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and Daniel Ricciardo, have struggled to match Verstappen’s pace. Lawson’s promotion marks a new chapter for Red Bull as it seeks to find a teammate who can challenge Verstappen’s dominance.
The Future of AlphaTauri and Isack Hadjar’s Promotion
With Lawson moving to Red Bull, AlphaTauri (soon to be renamed Racing Bulls) will have an open seat. French-Algerian driver Isack Hadjar, who finished second in the 2024 Formula 2 championship, is expected to join the team in 2025, continuing Red Bull’s tradition of nurturing young talent.
Liam Lawson: A Promising Racing Career
Liam Lawson has been a rising star in motorsport. His career began at just seven years old with karting and was guided by three-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner Ken Smith. Lawson quickly made his mark in junior series, winning the NZ F1600 Championship in 2015 and finishing as runner-up in the Australian F4, ADAC F4, and Euroformula Open championships.
Lawson’s breakthrough year came in 2019 when he won the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand, just a day before his 17th birthday. That year, he also made his debut in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with MP Motorsport and participated in Euroformula Open with Motopark. In 2020, he continued to impress, finishing second in the Toyota Racing Series and winning three races in FIA Formula 3.
His move to Formula 2 in 2021 saw Lawson score his first win and podium finishes, finishing ninth in the standings. In 2022, driving for Carlin, he placed third in the standings with four wins and six podiums. His performance earned him F1 free practice appearances in 2022 with Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri.
In 2023, Lawson raced in the Super Formula Championship, supported by Red Bull, while also serving as a test driver for both AlphaTauri and Red Bull Racing. He made his F1 race debut as a temporary replacement for Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, outperforming teammate Yuki Tsunoda and securing valuable points for the team.
Challenges Ahead for Lawson in F1
Despite his impressive rise, Lawson has faced criticism from teammate Sergio Perez over his aggressive driving style. Perez has suggested that Lawson should adopt a more humble and respectful approach to succeed in F1. As Lawson steps into the competitive world of Formula 1, he will need to find a balance between his bold driving style and the strategic, respectful approach required to succeed in the sport.
