The Sergio Perez – Max Verstappen era at Red Bull has come to an end, with the Milton Keynes team announcing Sergio Perez‘s departure on the evening of Wednesday, December 18. After finishing third in the Constructors’ Championship this season, Red Bull has opted for a fresh pairing to challenge for the title in the upcoming season. As part of this strategy, Liam Lawson joins Verstappen to form Red Bull’s 2025 driver lineup.
In an official statement, Red Bull confirmed that Liam Lawson, the New Zealand driver from the Red Bull Academy, will race alongside Verstappen in 2025. This marks a significant step forward for the young driver, who, after participating in more than 10 F1 races, will share the garage with the four-time world champion.
Lawson’s arrival at Red Bull will undoubtedly put him under pressure, given Verstappen’s track record of overwhelming his teammates. It will be a critical debut season for Liam Lawson, as he aims to prove to the team—and particularly to Helmut Marko—that he is the right choice.
In 2024 and 2023, Lawson had opportunities to race in F1, but not for a full season. He stepped in as a substitute in 2023 when Daniel Ricciardo was injured, and again in 2024 from Austin onwards to replace the outgoing Australian driver. While Liam Lawson did not achieve outstanding results in the remaining races of the recently concluded championship, he secured solid finishes, including points-scoring positions.
In 2025, it will be crucial for Liam Lawson to become familiar with the RB21 during testing and push the car to its limits to stay close to Max Verstappen. The team is expected to allow the New Zealander a few races to find his footing, but the pressure at Red Bull is always high, and no seat is ever truly secure.
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