After yesterday’s announcement of the consensual separation from Sergio Perez, the Red Bull today he dissolved his reservations, announcing that he had signed Liam Lawson as a replacement for the Mexican and Max Verstappen’s new teammate. The New Zealander won the internal battle with Yuki Tsunoda, who will remain in Racing Bulls having at his side most likely the Frenchman Isack Hadjar, coming from the F2 championship which ended this year in second position.
Lawson: “It’s been an incredible journey so far”
For Lawson, 23 years old on February 11th and just 11 F1 grand prix under his belt, this is a great opportunity, but also a great risk. Verstappen’s role as teammate at Red Bull has called into question the careers of several top driverssuch as Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, fortunately for them capable of relaunching themselves with other teams once rejected – often with excessive haste – by the Austrian team. The New Zealander beat domestic competition from Yuki Tsunodaa Japanese driver who obviously would have been well liked by his partner Honda and who was nevertheless the protagonist of a positive experience at the wheel of the RB20 in the recent tests held at Yas Marina after the last grand prix of the season.
Lawson impressed in his F1 debut in 2023 as a replacement for the injured Daniel Ricciardotaking two points in the Singapore GP, the third grand prix in which he took part after his debut at the Dutch GP weekend. After 5 appearances last year, Lawson returned to replace the disappointing Ricciardo in the last 6 grands prix of this year, taking another two ninth places in Austin and Interlagos and showing himself fast but also very aggressive, perhaps even too much as evidenced by the sparks – even verbal – in some episodes that occurred with Perez himself and with Fernando Alonso.
Commenting on his promotion to Red Bull, Lawson said: “Be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver It’s a lifelong dream for me. It’s something I’ve wanted and worked for since I was eight years old. It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to sincerely thank the entire VCARB team for their support, the last six races have played a fundamental role in my preparation for this next step. I also want to thank Christian [Horner, capo Red Bull]Helmut [Marko, consulente Red Bull Motorsport] and the entire Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a world champion, I have no doubt that I will learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get started!“.
Horner: “Racing alongside Max is a tough task, but Liam can take up this challenge”
The Red Bull team principal, Chris Hornerhad initially pushed to bring forward Perez’s confirmation for 2026, focusing on the psychological benefits that this should have had on the Mexican who had already made a good start to the championship. Subsequently, the British manager admitted that his driver’s disappointing results had inevitably put Perez’s stay in the team into serious question.
Horner, aware of the complex challenge that awaits Lawson, commented on the decision now made official by his team: “I am delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will be joining the team in 2025. Liam’s performances over the course of his two spells with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that not only is he capable of achieving important results, but that he is also a true driver, who is not afraid to compete with the best and come first. His arrival continues the team’s long history of promotion within the Red Bull Junior Program and follows in the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and, of course, Max Verstappen. There is 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, but I am confident that Liam can rise to this challenge and deliver exceptional results for us next year“.
