The news was circulating in the paddock F1 for a long time, for months now. Now, however, it seems that all that is really missing is the official status: Liam Lawson will replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull in 2025. The renewal of the contract signed by the Mexican before the Monaco GP was not enough to keep him safe from dismissal due to the less than exciting performances of the last two seasons. The Kiwi will therefore face his first full season in the Circus in the uncomfortable position of team mate of four-time World Champion Max Verstappen.
Liam starts after two seasons as Ricciardo’s replacement
At the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last stage of the season F1 2024, in interviews granted to television Christian Horner already spoke about Perez in the past tensedespite the team continuing to want to indicate him as a starter for 2025. In reality, for several days it was clear that the Mexican had lost the trust of the team and consequently his seat for next season. The internal discussions, more than anything else, seemed to focus on the exit procedures, and on who should be his replacement. Lawson, in fact, had immediately seemed to be the strongest candidate, but the crescendo at the end and the good test carried out by Tsunoda had left some openings for the young Japanese.
In the end, however, the the choice fell on the young New Zealand talentwho has had the merit in the past two seasons of always being ready when he was needed. Overall, Lawson has contested eleven Grands Prix in F1 to date, all with the Faenza team, first Alpha Tauri and then Visa CashApp RB, in both cases replacing Daniel Ricciardo. In every situation, he was good at showing his enormous talent, even with some flaws due to his lack of experience in the top flight. Decisive in head-to-head situations, very fast and determined: all characteristics that will certainly be useful to him in the difficult moment he will find himself living in Milton Keynes over the next few years.
A courageous choice with an eye to the future
If the rumors arriving in these hours were to be confirmed, it would still be one very courageous choice. On the other hand, in October it was Helmut Marko himself who said that there should be an Academy driver alongside Max in 2025, effectively closing the doors to more “exotic” scenarios (Colapinto first and foremost). Liam Lawson, at any rate, it seems be the right man for Red Bull right now.
Despite his young age, in fact, has already gained important experience, also going to fight for the DTM title in 2021. The burden of standing up to Verstappen will rest on his shoulders, but not only that. The situation in Red Bull, from a future perspective, appears far from well defined, and the Milton Keynes team could find itself having to set up a project starting from 2026 without its iconic driver. Lawson, therefore, would play a fundamental role, becoming the leader of the team and marking what must be the way to stay and fight with the top.
In the meantime, however, there is a 2025 to be experienced, with a car that for the first time will not be the result of the work of Adrian Newey. As mentioned, Liam will have to demonstrate that he can keep up with Verstappen, also to try to revive the team after a third place in the Constructors’ Championship which was anything but positive. Not an easy task, but, to date, he is the only one of the young Red Bull Academy drivers who can complete it.
Nicola Saglia
