F1
Official: Liam Lawson replaces Sergio Perez at Red Bull
Liam Lawson and Max Verstappen in 2023 - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
All that was missing was the officialization. While Red Bull announced this Thursday the departure of Sergio Pérez, the Austrian team confirmed the starting line-up of Liam Lawson for the 2025 season. Formula 1.
Liam Lawson – Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
A member of Red Bull's junior programme since 2019, Lawson made his Formula 1 debut with Alpha Tauri at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2023 instead of Daniel Ricciardo, injured in the wrist. The New Zealander returned to F1 this season from the United States Grand Prix, still with the Faenza (Italy) team, and still replacing the Australian driver, sidelined by the energy drink group.
Red Bull had the opportunity to drive with Red Bull during some of the test sessions – Photo: Red Bull
After 11 Grands Prix in Formula 1, Liam Lawson thus obtains his first start on the grid for a full season, directly at Red Bull alongside the four-time reigning world champion, Max Verstappen.
« Being named as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me, it’s something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old, says Lawson, 22. It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a huge thank you to the entire Racing Bulls team for their support, the last six races have played a huge role in preparing me for this next step. I also want to thank Christian (Horner), Helmut (Marko) and the entire Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m very excited to work with Max and learn from a world champion, I’m sure I’ll learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get started! »
Welcome to the Team, @ LiamLawson30 🇳🇿 Stepping up to Oracle Red Bull Racing for 2025 ⬆️
- Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 19, 2024
An opportunity for Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls?
« I am delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will be joining the team in 2025, adds Christian Honer, director of the Red Bull team. Liam’s performances during his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he is not only capable of producing good results, but also a genuine racer, unafraid to take on the best and make his mark. His arrival continues the team’s long tradition of promotion to the Red Bull Junior programme and follows in the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course, Max Verstappen. There is no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and arguably one of the greatest drivers to ever grace F1, is a daunting task, but I am confident that Liam can rise to the challenge and deliver exceptional results for us next year. »
A promotion that looks like a terrible disavowal for Yuki tsunodaThe 24-year-old Japanese, who tested with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi during the post-season tests, sees an opportunity to move to a top team pass him by as he has been riding for the sister team since 2021. His future teammate at Racing Bulls is not yet known, but it could be the Frenchman Isack Hadjar.
ALSO READ > Official: Sergio Perez thanked by Red Bull
Valentin GLO
Journalist. Endurance reporter (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS) and sometimes F1 or IndyCar.
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vincent moyet
19/12/2024 at 10:18 a.m.
Mission impossible for the Kiwi: to be good right away, without a learning period when he doesn't even have a full season under his belt, and there is a difference between getting noticed with a few flashes of brilliance and securing the podium regularly... but not overshadowing the living god of the team! How long will he last? And who will RBR replace him with if he doesn't secure podiums right away behind Verstappen? Another one sent to the slaughter?
Yves-Henri RANDIER
19/12/2024 at 10:14 a.m.
What a surprise from the Red Bull galaxy in the space of 3 days! Hoping that the Kiwi is not crushed by the Dutch ogre, in which case TsunHonda will replace him overnight to please Honda. Now, when will the announcement of Hadjar's starting role in Ridiculous Bulls be made? What suspense!!!