Red Bull have confirmed Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen's teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The 22-year-old New Zealander was selected over his 2024 team-mate Yuki Tsunoda for promotion from the Red Bull RB youth team in place of Sergio Perez.
Red Bull announced the signing of Lawson on Thursday, less than 24 hours after confirming Perez's departure.
“Being named an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream of mine, it's something I've been wanting and working towards since I was eight years old,” said Lawson.
“It's been an amazing journey so far. I want to say a big thank you to the whole team at VCARB for their support, the last six races have played a big part in my preparation for this next step.
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“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 really excited to work with Max and learn from the World Champion, I have no doubt that I will learn from his experience. I can't wait to go!”
Lawson is set to compete in his first full F1 season having driven a total of 11 Grands Prix, following cameos in each of the past two years.
He filled in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo for five races in 2023, then drove for the final six rounds of 2024 after the Australian dropped out.
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Sergio Perez went up against Liam Lawson from Visa Cash App RB in the GP in Mexico City
Lawson has finished in the points three times, finishing ninth each time. His best qualifying performance came when he took fifth in the wet at this year's Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
He was bullied by Tsunoda during their time as teammates, but showed enough to convince Red Bull boss Christian Horner that he has more potential.
Lawson will become Verstappen's fifth team-mate since the Dutchman joined Red Bull in 2016, and is up against what many consider the toughest gig in F1 by going only against the driver who won each of the last four world championships.
'Liam can rise to the challenge'
Red Bull team principal Horner said: “Liam's performance over his two seasons with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has proven that he is not only capable of delivering strong results but that he is also a true racer, not afraid to mix it with the best. and come out on top.
“His arrival continues the team's long history of promotion within the Red Bull Youth Program and follows in the footsteps of championship and race drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course , Max Verstappen.
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“Racing with Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers F1 has ever seen, is no doubt a daunting task, but I'm sure he can Liam took on that challenge and delivered great results for us next. year.”
Red Bull were the leading Constructors' Championship winners in 2022 and 2023 but finished behind Ferrari and champions McLaren in 2024, as their performance dropped to just two wins in the last 14 Grands Prix of the t – season.
Lawson's Red Bull race debut will come as close to home as possible on the current F1 calendar, at the Australian Grand Prix which opens the 2025 season on March 16.
Red Bull has yet to announce who will fill Lawson's RB seat, but 20-year-old French driver Isack Hadjar, who is also a product of the team's youth program, is considered the favourite.
More to follow…
Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian GP on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
