Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull in 2025

WEB DESK: Red Bull announced that Liam Lawson, one of the two drivers on the RBR junior team, VCARB, will be moving up to join Max Verstappen for next year’s season, leaving Sergio Perez without a drive.

Lawson shared his excitement with the world on Thursday, stating that being announced as an “Oracle Red Bull Racing Driver is a lifelong dream for me,” and that its been a goal he’s worked towards since he was eight years old.

“I am super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a World Champion, I have no doubt I will learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get going!”

– Liam Lawson

The Mexican driver struggled this season, finishing eighth overall with 152 points and four podiums, while his teammate won the drivers’ championship with 437 points, nine wins and 14 podiums. Perez’s poor performances meant that Red Bull wasn’t a contender for the Constructors’ Championship, which McLaren won, and thus costed the team $10 million. Additionally, Perez caused nearly $5 million worth of damages, the most of any driver this season. He would end the season with four DNF’s (did not finish).

“I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Oracle Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team,”

– Sergio Perez wrote on social media.

LAWSON OVER TSUNODA

The two contenders for Perez’s seat were Yuki Tsunoda and Lawson, the two drivers for VCARB. The New Zealander got the nod from Red Bull, despite Tsunoda’s belief that he should have been the one to drive for Red Bull.

“Compared to what I’ve done this year, it’s quite clear I should get a chance,” said Tsunoda earlier in the month, before the announcement.

“A huge congratulations to Liam! Everyone at VCARB is very proud to see Liam being promoted to Oracle Red Bull Racing,”

– Laurent Mekies, VCARB team principal

Red Bull’s future: Perez, Tsunoda, or Lawson?

Earlier this month, Lawson shared how much he would love the opportunity to compete against Max Verstappen. “You get access to everything he’s doing, to all of his data,” said Lawson, adding that “to have that for every single session, for me, would be the most exciting part about that opportunity.”

“So yes, I’d say I feel ready.”

“Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top,”

– Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal

Christian Horner lauded Liam for his performances, which may upset fans who believed that Tsunoda was more deserving of the seat. Lawson took over from Daniel Riccardo in the tail end of the season, as the Australian fan favourite wasn’t performing up to standard. Lawson and Tsunoda would compete against each other six times. Lawson would get the better of him twice, in the United States GP and the Mexican GP, the latter of which Tsunoda did not finish. Howeveer, in the next four, Tsunoda would out perform Lawson.

Regardless, the Kiwi finds himself with a seat in one of the best outfits in F1, leaving Sergio Perez without a drive, and Tsunoda without a teammate.

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