Red Bull Shakes Up Lineup: Liam Lawson to Replace Sergio Perez in 2025 Season

Red Bull Racing has announced a significant change to its driver lineup for the 2025 season, with Liam Lawson set to join forces with world champion Max Verstappen. After a disappointing season from Sergio Perez, Lawson, a 22-year-old New Zealander, has been handpicked to fill the void alongside Verstappen, citing his impressive performances and potential for outstanding results.

Lawson's path to the top seat began when he made his F1 debut in 2023 and has been racing for Red Bull's junior team Racing Bulls since then. His impressive displays, including beating team-mate Yuki Tsunoda at the Saudi Arabian and Qatar Grands Prix, have caught the attention of the team, particularly Christian Horner, who praised Lawson's ability to "mix it with the best and come out on top". Red Bull's decision to choose Lawson as the second driver for 2025 was heavily influenced by his mental strength and confidence, which the team believes holds a higher potential ceiling.

Tsunoda, who had done impressive work in testing, ultimately lost out in the selection process to the young New Zealander. His career future now hangs in the balance, with possibilities of joining either Haas or Aston Martin being considered whilst Isack Hadjar, an F2 runner-up and Red Bull junior, stands ahead in line to fill the remaining seat for 2025. This marks the fourth time Red Bull has changed its second driver since Daniel Ricciardo left the team at the end of the 2018 season, citing concerns around the prospects of team unity and certainly competitiveness with Perez outperforming him.

As Red Bull shifts its focus towards the 2025 season, concerns regarding Perez's performance still linger. The announcement brings uncertainty to his future in the sport and whether this move could be a pivotal moment in his career to rebuild his reputation. Red Bull turning towards Lawson reflects the team's confidence in his potential, elevating his role in the F1 hierarchy amidst renewed expectations in competition for the 2025 championships.