Liam Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull’s main team for the 2025 Formula 1 season marks a significant milestone in the young New Zealander’s career. Lawson, who has been part of the Red Bull family for several years and served as a test and reserve driver, will now have the opportunity to race alongside Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 World Champion. Lawson’s promotion follows the departure of Sergio Perez, who after four seasons with the team, was dropped following a difficult 2024 campaign.
Lawson may not have a wealth of race experience compared to other drivers on the grid, having only competed in 11 Grand Prix races thus far, but his short time in Formula 1 has been enough for Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner to recognize his potential and the “right mentality” he brings to the team. Lawson’s challenge will be to compete with Verstappen, widely regarded as the best driver in the world right now, and something no Red Bull teammate has been able to achieve since 2018. Lawson himself acknowledges the immense challenge ahead but is determined to rise to the occasion.
Lawson Red Bull Teammates: The Difficulty of Racing with Verstappen
For any driver joining Red Bull, the task of challenging Max Verstappen is an incredibly daunting one. Since 2018, no teammate has come even close to consistently matching Verstappen’s level of performance, leading to a string of driver changes in the second seat at Red Bull. From Daniel Ricciardo to Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and finally, Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammates have all faced the same harsh reality: competing against a driver who is arguably the best in the world today.
The first major departure was that of Daniel Ricciardo in 2018. Ricciardo, who had been a strong contender within the team, made the decision to leave for Renault, citing a desire for more stability and the opportunity to lead a team. The move came after Ricciardo struggled to maintain the same level of consistency as Verstappen, who had already emerged as the team’s number one driver. Ricciardo’s exit set the stage for a series of drivers to follow in his footsteps, each of whom faced the immense pressure of being Verstappen’s teammate.
Next in line was Pierre Gasly, who was promoted from Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) to the main Red Bull team in 2019. Gasly, who had shown promise in his first season, struggled to match Verstappen’s pace and failed to deliver the kind of consistent results that Red Bull expected. His best finish that year was a fifth place, and after just 12 races, he was dropped from the team. Gasly’s struggles underscored how difficult it was to challenge Verstappen, even for a talented driver like him.
Following Gasly’s departure, Alex Albon was promoted to the main Red Bull team in mid-2019. Albon had a relatively solid start but, like Gasly, failed to keep pace with Verstappen. While Albon secured two podium finishes, his overall performance did not meet Red Bull’s high expectations. At the end of 2020, Albon was dropped from the team and moved to AlphaTauri. His departure left a mark on Red Bull, and many began to wonder whether anyone would be able to challenge Verstappen in the future.
In 2021, Sergio Perez was brought in to replace Albon, with hopes that his experience and strong performances in previous teams would allow him to offer Verstappen some competition. Perez did indeed secure five wins during his four seasons at Red Bull, but despite his success, he struggled to maintain the level of consistency required to mount a serious challenge against Verstappen. The 2024 season was particularly difficult for Perez, who finished a distant eighth in the drivers’ standings, managing just 49 points in the final 18 races. This led to Perez being dropped from the team after four seasons, making way for Liam Lawson’s promotion to the main Red Bull team in 2025.
Lawson Red Bull Teammates: Understanding the Challenge Ahead
For Lawson, the challenge of being Verstappen’s teammate is one that he fully understands. Speaking about the difficulty of racing against Verstappen, Lawson acknowledged that his predecessors all faced immense pressure and struggled to match Verstappen’s dominance. “I think it’s clear that Max is extremely confident as a driver,” Lawson said. “But the main thing is that he is the best in the world right now. It’s always going to be very, very difficult to compete against the best driver.” Lawson is well aware of the monumental task ahead and the unique pressure of racing for a team where the number one driver has been so dominant.
As a driver who has spent several years within the Red Bull system, Lawson is familiar with the car and its aggressive handling characteristics. He has spent time as a test driver for the team, which has allowed him to understand the car’s nuances and intricacies. However, Lawson points out that the Red Bull car is one of the most challenging to drive on the grid, requiring immense confidence and skill to extract its full potential. “I have driven the car for the last few years, I have been testing it and I can say that the car is very aggressive, it takes a lot of confidence to drive it to be honest,” Lawson explained.
Despite these challenges, Lawson remains determined to compete at the highest level. He recognizes that his teammates’ struggles with Verstappen stem not just from the car but from Verstappen’s extraordinary ability. “And ultimately, that’s probably the main reason why anybody has had a hard time competing against him so far,” Lawson added. His acknowledgment of Verstappen’s unique skill set reflects the reality that many of his predecessors were simply outclassed by the Dutchman, who is widely regarded as the most complete driver in the sport today.
Lawson Red Bull Teammates: The Road to Success in 2025
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Lawson does not expect to challenge for the World Championship immediately. His goal for his first full season with Red Bull is to build his confidence and experience, helping the team to reclaim the Constructors’ Championship title they lost in 2024. Lawson’s focus will be on supporting Verstappen and contributing to the team’s overall performance, rather than challenging for individual titles in his rookie season.
However, Lawson is keen to learn from his teammates and the previous drivers who have faced similar challenges. One key individual Lawson plans to seek advice from is Alex Albon, who, despite his struggles at Red Bull, has since gone on to rebuild his career and become a key driver for AlphaTauri. Lawson sees Albon as someone who can offer valuable insights into managing the pressure of racing for Red Bull and handling the unique challenges of being a teammate to Verstappen.
“I will seek advice from Alex Albon on dealing with the pressures of racing for Red Bull,” Lawson stated. Albon’s ability to handle the pressure and remain competitive after leaving Red Bull has been an inspiring story for many drivers, and Lawson believes his experience will be invaluable as he looks to make his mark on the team.
Lawson Red Bull Teammates: A New Chapter for the Kiwi Driver
Liam Lawson’s promotion to the main Red Bull team represents a new chapter in his Formula 1 career. While the task of racing against Max Verstappen may be daunting, Lawson is undeterred. He is determined to prove himself and make the most of his opportunity with the sport’s most successful team. Lawson is not looking to challenge Verstappen immediately but instead focuses on gaining experience and contributing to Red Bull’s success.
The challenges Lawson will face as a Red Bull teammate are clear, but so are his ambitions. He is ready to embrace the pressure and learn from those who have come before him. With the right mentality and a willingness to learn, Lawson has the potential to become a valuable asset for Red Bull in the coming seasons.
