Lawson named Verstappen's Red Bull teammate for 2025, edging out Tsunoda in close decision
Red Bull Racing has announced the promotion of Liam Lawson to partner with their star driver, Max Verstappen, replacing Sergio Perez. This decision, as confirmed by team principal Christian Horner, came after extensive deliberation and analysis.
Lawson, who has accumulated just 11 Formula 1 races to his credit, was chosen over Yuki Tsunoda, who has been honing his skills at Red Bull's junior team for four seasons. Horner highlighted the tough decision-making process, emphasizing the narrow margin separating the two drivers' potential and recent performances.
"It was very, very tight between the two of them," Horner remarked. "Yuki is a very fast driver with significant experience. He performed exceptionally well during the tyre tests in Abu Dhabi, impressing our engineers with his capabilities."
Nevertheless, Lawson's limited yet promising stint in Formula 1 seemed to tilt the scales in his favor. “When you dive into the analytics, Liam showed slightly better race pace," said Horner. "His qualifying pace was almost on par with Yuki’s, and with only 11 grands prix under his belt, he has shown remarkable mental resilience and versatility.”
Lawson's adaptability and racecraft were crucial factors in Red Bull's decision. Horner recalled how Lawson handled his debut: "You put him in a situation, he gets on with it. He had a challenging debut in Zandvoort, racing against Max on his out lap after Daniel [Ricciardo] broke his fingers. He demonstrated his gritty racer mentality."
Reflecting on Lawson's versatility, Horner also noted his impressive performance in the DTM series: "He adjusted to driving a Ferrari GT car very quickly alongside Alex Albon, often having the upper hand. His ability to go wheel-to-wheel and his fearlessness on the track are commendable."
Horner acknowledged the challenges Lawson will face, given the team’s history of high expectations and the pressure resulting from Verstappen's dominance. "Since Ricciardo's departure, several drivers like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and now Perez, have found it difficult to measure up to Max's extraordinary performance."
Read next ❯ Ferrari to reveal Hamilton's debut F1 car on February 19 at MaranelloWith Perez's struggles last season impacting Red Bull's constructors' championship crown, Horner suggested the team has gained valuable insights. "The key thing is not to overwhelm Liam with pressure. He needs to focus on his own performance rather than constantly comparing himself to Max. With proper support and a car suited to his style, we're optimistic about his potential."
As the 2025 season looms, Red Bull remains hopeful that Lawson, with his resilience and growing experience, will rise to the occasion and flourish alongside one of the greatest drivers of the generation.
