Liam Lawson wins race for Red Bull seat to partner Max Verstappen in 2025

By Alex Powell

Liam Lawson will partner Formula One world champion Max Verstappen in 2025, Red Bull have announced.

After months of speculation over which four drivers will make up Red Bull’s two driver line-ups next year, the organisation parted ways with Sergio Perez earlier on Thursday, and paved the way for the Kiwi to step up into the senior side.

Lawson emerged as the preferred candidate to be promoted among Red Bull’s shareholders, senior team principal Christian Horner and team adviser Dr Helmut Marko. The Herald understands the only major stumbling block was the amount paid to Perez to terminate his contract.

“To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing Driver is a lifelong dream for me, this is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old,” said Lawson.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at [Racing Bulls] 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, Helmut and the whole 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 learn from his expertise.

“I can’t wait to get going.”

The move will see Lawson move up into Red Bull’s senior ranks with just 11 races of experience, five in 2023 and six this year. Lawson is the first driver to be promoted from Red Bull’s junior to senior team since 2019, when Alex Albon moved up from what was then Toro Rosso.

And while there may be criticism from outside their ranks, Red Bull are confident in Lawson’s ability to adapt to the demands of driving for their senior team, despite his inexperience. The Herald understands Lawson’s promotion was centred around more than results – having scored just four points from his six races this year.

Instead, Lawson’s record in aiding with development during his years as a reserve driver were taken into account, as well as Red Bull’s internal evaluations holding him in better stead compared to Verstappen than his predecessors.

And given the uncertainty around Verstappen’s future in the sport, with no guarantee of continuing in Formula One past the expiry of his 2028 contract, Red Bull is understood to be eager to give Lawson time in the senior team to prepare him if that eventuates.

The 22-year-old New Zealander had been in contention with teammate Yuki Tsunoda for the seat, and won out over his more experienced teammate. Despite having completed 87 Grands Prix to Lawson’s 11, the Herald understands Red Bull were reluctant to put him into their senior team for a number of reasons.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission