Red Bull has lowered its expectations with Liam Lawson

At 23, Liam Lawson is preparing to play his first full season in Formula 1, while facing the biggest challenge of his young career by wearing the colors of Red Bull. After eleven rather successful Grands Prix with Racing Bulls in 2023 and 2024, the Kiwi is preparing to take on a completely different challenge alongside the four-time reigning world champion, Max Verstappen. Lawson arrives in the most impatient team on the grid, known for its speed in cutting heads and swapping drivers during the season at the slightest slump. Is this pressure bearable for a practically rookie driver? Perhaps, if the Austrian management has calmed down. "The management at Red Bull Racing has made a big change in terms of pressure on the driver next to Verstappen in the team." assures Christian Klien, former Red Bull driver, during an interview with RacingNews365. "Where there were immediately great expectations with gasly, for example, we now see that the team has understood that Verstappen is simply different. They now know how special Verstappen is and that it would not be easy for another driver to be alongside the Dutchman. The team has understood that it has to take a different approach. It will give time to Lawson, even though he is no longer a rookie.

The New Zealander will not be completely at peace, however, as Red Bull will be hoping not to repeat last season's failure. Despite Max Verstappen's fourth consecutive title, the Winged Bull had to settle for third place in the Constructors' standings behind McLaren et Ferrari, who could count on two reliable drivers. For its part, Red Bull was handicapped by the poor form of Sergio Pérez, only 8th in the championship, light years behind his garage neighbour. Helmut Marko, the head of Red Bull young drivers, has already warned Liam Lawson that, despite the patience displayed, he expected him to "constantly be in the points and help Max when needed", which Christian Klien confirms.

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Lawson must 'constantly be in the points'

"They won't ask him to beat Verstappen or even be as quick as him. We'll give Lawson time and hope he can fight for podium places during the season. He'll have to constantly accumulate points so he doesn't have to fight as much in the constructors' championship as he did last year." assures the Austrian, author of 28 starts with the Austrian single-seaters. “There are millions to be won there and so it is important for Red Bull Racing to do better in this championship this year. To achieve this, they will put less pressure on Lawson and give him more space. That will be good for him and, ultimately, for the team. There has to be peace and the team will create that for him.”

Liam Lawson will benefit from a much more favourable context than his predecessors, who had quickly paid for their place in the gap with Max Verstappen. Pierre Gasly had been ousted after only 12 Grands Prix in 2019, while his successor Alex Albon had only had a season and a half to prove himself. Finally, Sergio Pérez had a longer adventure (four seasons), but he owes it largely to his many sponsors and his positive impact on the sales of Red Bull products, which Mexicans rushed to support the native of Guadalajara. Without this commercial contribution, Liam Lawson will not have to abuse the trust of his managers, because behind him Yuki tsunoda desperately hopes to get his chance, while Isack Hadjar, or even Arvid Lindblad, are expected to take over in the years to come.

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