Red Bull has confirmed Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The 22-year-old New Zealander was selected in place of his 2024 teammate Yuki Tsunoda to move up from Red Bull’s junior team RB and replace Sergio Perez.

Red Bull announced Lawson’s signing on Thursday, less than 24 hours after Perez’s departure was confirmed.

“Being announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me. This is something I have wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old,” Lawson said.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far. I would like to say a big thank you to the entire VCARB team for their support. The last six races have played a big role in my preparation for this next step.”

“I would also like 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 be working with Max and learning from a world champion. I have no doubt that I will learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get started!”

Lawson is expected to contest his first full F1 season, having previously driven a total of 11 grands prix, having made guest appearances in each of the last two years.

He filled in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo for five races in 2023 and then drove the final six rounds of 2024 after the Australian dropped out.

Lawson finished in the points three times, finishing ninth each time. His best qualifying performance came when he finished fifth in the wet at this year’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

He was outclassed by Tsunoda during his time as a teammate, but showed enough to convince Red Bull boss Christian Horner that he had greater potential.

Lawson becomes Verstappen’s fifth team-mate since the Dutchman moved to Red Bull in 2016 and faces what many consider to be his toughest outing in Formula 1, going head-to-head against the driver who has won each of the last four world championships.

“Liam can rise to the challenge”

Red Bull team principal Horner said: “Liam’s performances during his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have shown that he is not only capable of delivering strong results, but that he is also a real racer who is not afraid to do so has to compete with the best.” and emerge as the winner.

“His arrival continues the team’s long history of success within the Red Bull Junior program and he follows in the footsteps of championship and racing drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course Max Verstappen.”

“There is no doubt that it is a huge task to drive alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the best drivers Formula 1 has ever had, but I am sure Liam will can meet this challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year.”

Red Bull was the dominant winner of the constructors’ championship in 2022 and 2023, but finished behind Ferrari and champions McLaren in 2024 as a decline in performance saw them take just two wins in the final 14 Grands Prix of the season.

Lawson’s Red Bull racing debut will take place as close as possible on the current Formula 1 calendar, at the 2025 season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16.

Red Bull has not yet announced who will fill Lawson’s RB spot, but 20-year-old French driver Isack Hadjar, also from the team’s youth program, is considered the hot favorite.

Red Bull attracted Lawson’s mentality

Craig Slater from Sky Sports:

“It’s a bit tough for Yuki Tsunoda, who passed Liam Lawson six to nil in the season that just ended.”

“I understand that it is Lawson’s strength of character and certain aspects of his mentality and attitude that may have given him the edge over Tsunoda. It’s a big opportunity for Lawson, but it’s also a very big task for a young driver.” Come alongside Max Verstappen.

“It’s to Red Bull’s credit that they have this conveyor belt of talent, that they’ve brought a lot of average people into Formula 1, which was largely reserved for the rich.”

“Lawson had to make sacrifices when he moved from New Zealand to Europe at the age of 16, away from his family. That’s one of the reasons he got this job, because he had to be a tough, strong person.”

Watch all 24 race weekends of the 2025 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian GP on March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports NOW – no contract, can be canceled at any time