Red Bull announce 22-year-old will be Max Verstappen’s new team-mate hours after Sergio Perez axe

LIAM LAWSON has been announced as Max Verstappen’s new Formula One team-mate.

The news comes following Red Bull’s axing of Sergio Perez on Wednesday.

Rex

Liam Lawson has been named as Max Verstappen’s new team-mate at Red Bull[/caption]

PA

Sergio Perez had a poor season partnering the four-time world champion[/caption]

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Liam Lawson impressed across six races at Red Bull’s sister team Visa CashApp RB[/caption]

Perez, 34, had a poor season in the second Red Bull seat, finishing eighth in the World Drivers Championship and seeing the constructor finish down in third in the World Constructors Championship.

Following months of speculation, Perez’s exit from the Racing Bulls was announced, with 22-year-old Lawson being named as his replacement to pair with Verstappen from 2025.

New Zealander Lawson joined the F1 grid in 2024 as a late-season replacement for Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull’s sister team Visa CashApp RB (VCARB), managing to score four points over the final six races of the season.

His first stint in F1 had arrived in 2023 when he was subbed in for Ricciardo following injury.

A statement from Team Principal Christian Horner said: “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.”

On the move, Lawson said: “To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me.

“This is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old. It’s been an incredible journey so far.

“I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB for their support, the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step.

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“I also want to thank, Christian [Horner, Red Bull boss], Helmut [Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Adviser] and the whole Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.

“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!”

Red Bull had narrowed their list to partner Verstappen to promoting one of Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, before ultimately choosing the Kiwi driver despite the Japanese driver’s own impressive full year.

Being the partner driver to Verstappen in the main Red Bull team has been a notoriously difficult task for many drivers.

However, with just 11 races in F1 under his belt, Lawson is the least experienced of the lot, with Alex Albon having had just 12 races and Pierre Gasly having 26 before their ill-fated stints with Red Bull.

Lawson’s now former team, RB, said in a statement: “Liam has truly impressed with his performances, showcasing his resilience, adaptability, and growing confidence as he navigated the challenges of a highly competitive grid.

“Although his time with us has been brief, Liam has made a real impact, earning the respect of everyone in the team.

“We want to thank Liam for his dedication and all the effort he’s given during his time with the team.

“We wish him the best of luck as he takes on this exciting new chapter with Oracle Red Bull Racing, and we look forward to watching his growth in the sport. We’ll see you on the track old sport!”

Lawson’s move leaves one seat up for grabs on the 2025 F1 grid.

However, it is expected that F2 runner-up Isack Hadjar – another driver from the Red Bull driver academy – will fill the remaining seat.

The first race of the 2025 F1 season will be held in Australia on March 16.

Lawson, who joined the Red Bull driver academy in 2019, will be one of five full-time debutant drivers on the grid next season.

Britain’s own Ollie Bearman landed a full-time seat with Haas for next year after a number of strong substitute appearances for both Haas and Ferrari across the season.

Three stars – so far – will be driving F1 cars competitively for the first time when the lights go out in Melbourne next spring.

Those are Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes successor, Kimi Antonelli, McLaren junior, Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber and Alpine Academy driver, Jack Doohan, who will drive with the parent team.