Liam Lawson has been named as the replacement for Sergio Pérez at Red Bull Racing.
Lawson will be Max Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season after the Mexican departed nearly two years before his contract was set to expire following a disastrous campaign. Red Bull lost the constructors’ championship despite Verstappen winning his fourth straight world championship.
The 22-year-old Lawson joined Red Bull’s junior programme in 2019 and made his debut for the team, then called Scuderia AlphaTauri, at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix. Following his seat promotion, the New Zealander called the next big step up in his career “a lifelong dream”.
Lawson said of his new seat: “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. 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, 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!”
Christian Horner added he is confident Lawson will handle the challenge of being Verstappen’s partner. He 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.”