Lawson elevated to partner Verstappen

Kiwi Liam Lawson has been promoted to the main Red Bull Racing squad, replacing Sergio Perez as Max Verstappen’s new partner for 2025.

Red Bull Racing confirmed the news overnight, having confirmed the night before that it had negotiated terms with Perez to allow him to vacate the prized second seat on the champion team from 2021 to 2023.

The 22-year-old from Pukekohe, NZ, has run 11 Grand Prix in his two stints with the RB team. He first replaced Daniel Ricciardo when the Aussie broke his hand at the Ditch Grand Prix and then again this year when Ricciardo was sacked.

In those 11 races, he has finished in the points three times, but that will surely change now that he is in race-winning equipment.

“To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me,” Lawson said. “This is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight. It’s been an incredible journey so far.

“I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB 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 [Horner, Red Bull boss], Helmut [Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Adviser] 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!”

Team boss Horner said: “I’m delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will join the team in 2025. Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top.

“His arrival continues the Team’s long history of promoting from within the Red Bull Junior Programme and he follows in the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course, Max Verstappen.

“There’s 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’m sure Liam can rise to that challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year.”

Lawson’s promotion means Red Bull needs to add a new driver to the RB team’s vacated seat, with F2 runner-up Isack Hadjar considered the front-runner for that seat.

The F1 2025 Grid

McLaren

Lando Norris – #4
Oscar Piastri – #81

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc – #16
Lewis Hamilton – #44

Red Bull

Max Verstappen – #1
Liam Lawson – #30

Mercedes

George Russell – #63
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – #TBC

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso – #14
Lance Stroll – #18

Alpine

Pierre Gasly – #10
Jack Doohan – #TBC

Haas

Oliver Bearman – #TBC
Esteban Ocon – #31

RB

Yuki Tsunoda – #22
TBC

Williams

Alex Albon – #23
Carlos Sainz – #55

Kick Sauber

Nico Hulkenberg – #27
Gabriel Bortoleto – #TBC

Image: LAT Images