MILTON KEYNES, England — On Thursday, Red Bull announced that Liam Lawson will team up with reigning world champion Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Lawson, a talented driver from New Zealand, will take over the seat previously held by Sergio Perez, who was released following a string of disappointing performances.
At just 22 years old, Lawson transitions from Racing Bulls, the sister team to Red Bull, where he has made appearances as a substitute driver in 2023 and the current year. His journey began with Red Bull’s junior driver program, highlighting his deep connections within the organization.
Red Bull’s principal, Christian Horner, acknowledged the challenge Lawson will face, stating, “There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers ever seen in F1, is a daunting task. However, I’m confident that Liam can meet this challenge and produce impressive results for us in the coming season.”
Lawson expressed his excitement about joining Red Bull, calling it a “lifelong dream.” He reflected on his journey, saying, “This is something I’ve wanted and worked toward since I was 8 years old. It’s been an incredible journey so far.”
Perez’s departure marks a significant shift, with Red Bull opting to terminate his contract two years early. The Mexican driver struggled to keep up with the competition, failing to secure a victory since April 2023 and not finishing higher than sixth place since May of that year. Meanwhile, Verstappen maintained his superior performance, solidifying his status in the sport.
Lawson’s connection to Red Bull began back in 2019 when he joined their junior program. His Formula 1 debut took place at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2023 when he filled in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo at Scuderia AlphaTauri, which would later be renamed Racing Bulls. Over the course of that season, Lawson has participated in five races for the team.
In the current season, Lawson secured a points-scoring finish at the United States Grand Prix, stepping in for Ricciardo once again.
Horner praised Lawson’s abilities, stating, “Liam’s performances throughout his stints with Racing Bulls have shown that he’s not just capable of achieving strong results, but that he’s also a true racer, unafraid to compete with the best and come out on top.”
