Red Bull names Liam Lawson as new F1 driver alongside Verstappen for 2025 | Sports News

Lawson replaces Sergio Perez, who left Red Bull Racing on Wednesday after four years with the world championship team.

New Zealander Liam Lawson will replace Sergio Perez in the difficult role of team-mate to four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull next season, the Formula One team has said.

Perez’s departure was announced on Wednesday and Lawson was expected to be promoted to Red Bull’s sister team RB.

The 22-year-old made his F1 debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix as a five-race substitute for the injured Daniel Ricciardo and returned for the final six races of the season when the Australian was ruled out.

“Being announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing Driver is my lifelong dream, this is something I have wanted and worked for since I was eight years old,” he said in a team statement on Thursday.

“It’s been an amazing journey so far. I want to say a big thank you to the whole team at VCRB (RB) for supporting me, the last six races have played a big role in preparing for this next step.

“I really enjoyed working with Max and learning from the world champion, I have no doubt that I will learn from his skills. I can’t wait to continue.”

Team manager Christian Horner said the way Lawson played showed that he was “a real runner, he’s not afraid to mix it up with the best and come out on top”.

“His arrival continues the team’s long history of promoting the Red Bull Junior Program and follows in the footsteps of champion drivers and race winners such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen,” he added.

“There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and arguably one of the greatest drivers F1 has ever seen, is a tough job, but I’m sure Liam can rise to the challenge and bring us great results next time. year.”