Red Bull has confirmed that Liam Lawson will be Max Verstappen’s team-mate for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 22-year-old from New Zealand will replace Sergio Perez, who left the team after the 2024 season.
Lawson was chosen over his 2024 team-mate, Yuki Tsunoda, after impressing Red Bull with his performances in recent races. Despite being outscored by Tsunoda, Lawson’s potential and strength of character won over Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
Speaking about the opportunity, Lawson shared his excitement, saying, “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.” He thanked his team and the Red Bull family for their support and expressed his eagerness to learn from Verstappen, a four-time World Champion.
Lawson will contest his first full F1 season in 2025, having already raced in 11 Grands Prix, including five races in 2023 as a substitute for the injured Daniel Ricciardo. He returned to the track for six races in 2024 after Ricciardo’s departure. Lawson’s best qualifying result was fifth place in the wet at the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, and he has scored points three times, with his best finish being ninth place.
Red Bull’s decision to promote Lawson continues the team’s tradition of promoting talent from their Junior Programme, following in the footsteps of past champions like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
While Lawson’s new role places him alongside Verstappen, considered one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, Horner is confident that Lawson can rise to the challenge. “Liam’s performances have demonstrated that he’s capable of delivering strong results and that he’s a real racer,” Horner said.
Lawson’s debut race with Red Bull will take place at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, 2025. Red Bull has yet to announce who will take over Lawson’s previous seat, but 20-year-old French driver Isack Hadjar, also part of the Red Bull Junior Programme, is the favorite to join the team.
Sky Sports’ Craig Slater noted that Lawson’s mental toughness, having moved from New Zealand to Europe at just 16, played a key role in his selection. Lawson’s journey has been marked by sacrifice, and his resilience has made him a strong contender in one of F1’s most competitive teams.
