Source – The Indipendent
Liam Lawson has been selected by Red Bull to take Sergio Perez’s seat and join four-time world champion Max Verstappen’s team in 2025.
In a turn of events that sent ripples across the Formula 1 world, Sergio Perez announced his immediate departure from Red Bull, despite having two years remaining on his contract. The decision, described as mutual, marked the end of a four-year partnership that brought both triumphs and challenges. Perez’s exit left Red Bull with the critical task of selecting a new driver to pair with their star and four-time champion, Max Verstappen, for the 2025 season.
After weeks of deliberation and narrowing the options to two promising talents from the Red Bull Junior Programme—Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda—the team has chosen to promote the 23-year-old New Zealander. Lawson’s stellar performances during his substitute appearances with Red Bull’s sister team cemented his place as Verstappen’s new teammate.
Lawson’s rise has been meteoric. Called up as a super-sub in late 2023, he replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo and turned heads with his consistent and fearless drives. When Ricciardo’s injury persisted into 2024, Lawson stepped in once again from the United States Grand Prix onwards, demonstrating poise, adaptability, and the grit required to compete at the highest level of motorsport. His performances during these critical moments earned him widespread admiration and, ultimately, the coveted seat alongside Verstappen.
For Lawson, this announcement is the culmination of a dream that began when he was just a child. “To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me,” Lawson expressed, visibly elated. “This is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old. It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB for their support; the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step. I also want to thank Christian [Horner], Helmut [Marko], and the entire Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I am super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a World Champion. I have no doubt I will grow immensely by learning from his expertise. I can’t wait to get going!”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner shared his excitement about the team’s newest addition. “I’m delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will join the team in 2025,” said Horner. “Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top. His arrival continues the team’s long history of promoting from within the Red Bull Junior Programme, following in the footsteps of champions and race-winning drivers like Sebastian Vettel and, of course, Max Verstappen.”
Horner acknowledged the unique challenge Lawson would face alongside Verstappen, widely regarded as one of the most dominant drivers in the sport’s history. “There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max is a daunting task. But I am confident Liam can rise to the challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year.”
With Lawson’s promotion, one final seat remains open on the grid for 2025 at Red Bull’s sister team. The frontrunner for that position is F2 runner-up Isack Hadjar, who could join Yuki Tsunoda at RB.
Lawson’s journey to this moment has been a testament to his resilience, talent, and determination. As he prepares to step into one of the most high-profile roles in motorsport, fans eagerly anticipate the impact this rising star will have in his debut season with Red Bull Racing. The stage is set for 2025, and Lawson’s journey promises to add another thrilling chapter to Formula 1’s legacy.
