Lawson eager to race with Verstappen at Red Bull

Red Bull's Liam Lawson on Max Verstappen: ‘nobody better to learn from'.

Liam Lawson is ready to tackle his first full season in Formula 1 as Max Verstappen's teammate at Red Bull Racing. Despite the struggles his predecessors faced, Lawson is looking forward to the challenge of racing alongside the four-time world champion.

Lawson will fill the seat vacated by Sergio Perez, aligning himself with a driver who has proven to be a formidable force in the sport. Verstappen's previous teammates — Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez — struggled to match his form and eventually lost their places at Red Bull. Understanding the magnitude of the task ahead, Lawson is choosing to see it as an opportunity rather than a hurdle.

"I'm well aware of how fortunate I am to come into a team this early, to have this opportunity," Lawson told ESPN. "For me, it's extremely exciting to go into a season like this.

"At the same time, I know how much pressure comes with it, and how tough it's going to be -- especially starting the year at tracks I haven't raced at before. And obviously, having a teammate who's a four-time world champion makes it even harder. But there's nobody better to learn from."

When asked if Verstappen is the toughest driver to compare himself against in equal machinery, Lawson didn't hesitate. "For sure," he said. "It depends on how you look at it. He's the hardest guy to go in and beat. We all want to win in Formula 1—that's why we're here.

"For me, it's more about taking those learnings and making the most of having someone like that as a teammate, having access to everything he's doing."

The disparity between Verstappen and Perez last season was evident: Verstappen clinched nine race wins, whereas Perez secured none, finishing 285 points behind his teammate in the standings. Nevertheless, Lawson isn’t piling on the pressure to deliver an immediate victory.

"It's not something I'm putting a timeframe on," he said. "I'm not going in thinking I need to win a race within a certain number of races, or even this season necessarily. But my goal is clear—to win races and eventually a world championship. That's what I'm working towards."

As Lawson gears up for the 2024 season, fans and pundits alike will watch closely to see if he can rise to the challenge and follow in the footsteps of the sport's elite. His journey alongside Max Verstappen promises to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming F1 season.

Up Next

• Hamilton predicts thrilling journey with Ferrari
• Nigel Mansell believes Hamilton will shine in first Ferrari outing

Season-Defining Headlines

F1 TV: Watch F1 Grand Prix live throughout the season.

ESPN: Watch Formula 1 all season long across ESPN networks.