The winds of change are sweeping through the Red Bull Racing garage as the team prepares to welcome a new face alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen in 2025. Liam Lawson, the rising star from New Zealand, is poised to step into the spotlight and seize his chance to shine on the biggest stage in motorsport.
A Difficult Decision
For Lawson, the opportunity to join the elite ranks at Red Bull was one he simply couldn’t pass up. In an exclusive interview with ESPN, the young Kiwi admitted that the prospect of a promotion was “difficult to ignore” as he watched the drama unfold in the final races of the 2024 season.
It was tough… Abu Dhabi, just knowing what was going on. I tried to clear it out as much as I could, but obviously it’s a huge opportunity and I knew it was right there and obviously I wanted it so badly that it was hard not to think about it.
Liam Lawson
While the specifics of the deal were never explicitly laid out, Lawson knew that his performances in the AlphaTauri car were effectively an audition for the coveted Red Bull seat. With the team struggling in the constructors’ championship, change was in the air, and Lawson found himself in the right place at the right time.
The Verstappen Effect
Of course, stepping into the second Red Bull seat comes with its own unique set of challenges. In recent years, Max Verstappen’s teammates have struggled to match the Dutchman’s blistering pace and uncompromising racecraft, with the likes of Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Sergio Perez all falling by the wayside.
Lawson, however, remains undaunted by the prospect of going toe-to-toe with the reigning world champion. In fact, he sees it as an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the very best in the business.
It’s probably the hardest place to be, but also it comes with the most opportunity. He’s obviously the best in the world right now, so there’s nobody better to learn off.
Liam Lawson on partnering Max Verstappen
With access to Verstappen’s data and the chance to study the Dutchman’s every move, Lawson believes he has the tools to not only survive but thrive in the pressure-cooker environment at Red Bull.
A New Chapter Begins
As the 2025 season draws ever closer, all eyes will be on Liam Lawson as he embarks on the biggest challenge of his young career. With the weight of expectation on his shoulders and the shadow of Max Verstappen looming large, the stage is set for a fascinating new chapter in the Red Bull story.
Can Lawson rise to the occasion and prove himself worthy of a place among Formula 1’s elite? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the young Kiwi has the talent, the determination, and the hunger to succeed. The rest, as they say, is up to him.
