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Lawson confirmed as Verstappen's Red Bull team mate for 2025
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Red Bull have chosen Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez and become four-time world champion Max Verstappen’s team mate in 2025.
On Wednesday, Sergio Perez announced he would be leaving Red Bull with immediate effect after agreeing a deal to part ways to leave the team despite having two years left on his contract.
READ MORE: Perez and Red Bull agree to part ways following conclusion of 2024 season
When Red Bull opted to make a change with Perez, they narrowed the shortlist down to either promoting Lawson or his RB team mate Yuki Tsunoda.
New Zealander Lawson got the nod after impressing in two super-sub stints with Red Bull’s sister team – first when he replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo for five races towards the end of 2023, and second when he replaced Ricciardo from the United States Grand Prix onwards in 2024.
“To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me,” said Lawson. “This is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old. 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!”
Red Bull have decided to promote Lawson rather than Tsunoda
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.”
That leaves just one seat left on the grid for 2025 – with F2 runner up Isack Hadjar the frontrunner to get it alongside Tsunoda at RB.
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