Dr Helmut Marko has set clear targets for Liam Lawson, Max Verstappen’s new teammate for 2025.
For Perez’s replacement, we must not make the wrong target. Marko therefore advises the New Zealander not to do everything to try to beat his teammate. His objective will above all be to be much closer than Sergio Perez was, in order to regain the constructors’ title.
“Liam Lawson is mentally the strongest of our juniors, even though he has little Grand Prix experience.”
“But it’s important to accept with Max that you can’t beat him. No one can. And in terms of quality, despite his limited Grand Prix experience, Liam has the most potential to develop further. C That’s why we chose him over Yuki Tsunoda.”
However, the team advisor expects Lawson to be “three tenths of a second behind Max in qualifying and the race” and he marks “much more points for the championship than Sergio Perez”.
“He is part of the team with the best driver in Formula 1 and should not try – as many drivers before him have done – to seek it in technology, with absurd settings or in terms of strategy “You have to accept that Max is the best and not try to beat him. It didn’t work with all his former teammates.”
Ultimately, it is quite logical that Verstappen will also be the absolute number one within Red Bull Racing in 2025. The Austrian sees it as an advantage that things are clear.
“At McLaren they will certainly wait before deciding between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This will still benefit Max. At Ferrari, it is clear that it will be a battle between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. And I don’t think they will will be content with a number two role.”
“It remains to be seen whether Kimi Antonelli immediately asserts himself at Mercedes compared to George Russell. But for them, the priority is to put a good car back on the track, capable of performing better everywhere.”
Belgium
