Official: Liam Lawson replaces Sergio Pérez at Red Bull

For several weeks, the future of Sergio Perez has been at the heart of the news, as his performances have been well below those of his teammate, Max Verstappen, throughout the season. A meeting of the Austrian team’s leaders took place after the closing Grand Prix of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi to decide his future. Yesterday, the team announced his eviction; the Mexican driver reacted rather positively to the announcement.

Liam Lawson did not delay in reacting: « Being announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me. It’s something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old. The journey so far has been incredible. I want to extend a huge thank you to the entire VCARB team for their support. The last six races have played a crucial role in my preparation for this next step. I also want to thank Christian, Helmut, and the entire Red Bull family for their trust in me and for giving me this opportunity. I am super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a world champion. I have no doubt that I will benefit from his expertise. I can’t wait to get started! »

In 2023, Daniel Ricciardo was injured during an off-track incident in the Dutch Grand Prix practice, forcing him to withdraw from several races. AlphaTauri then called on Liam Lawson to replace him urgently. Lawson seized this opportunity with determination, delivering impressive performances that reveal his potential. He notably stood out by finishing ninth in Singapore, thus scoring his first points in Formula 1.

Encouraged by these promising beginnings, the New Zealander is confirmed at Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) for the end of the 2024 season, following the eviction of the Australian. He thus becomes one of the youngest drivers on the grid and one of the most talented prospects of the new generation.

Christian Horner, team principal and CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing, stated: « I am delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will be joining the team in 2025. Liam’s performances during his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he is not only capable of achieving good results, but also that he is a true racing driver, unafraid to take on the best and make his mark. His arrival continues the team’s longstanding tradition of promoting talent from the Red Bull Junior program. He follows in the footsteps of championship-winning and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and, of course, Max Verstappen. There is no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and one of the greatest drivers F1 has ever seen, is a daunting task; but I am confident that Liam will rise to the challenge and deliver outstanding results for us next year. »

A surprising choice

It’s not an illogical choice, but it’s a bit surprising. Indeed, several names had been mentioned to replace Sergio Perez: Carlos Sainz, Franco Colapinto, Yuki Tsunoda, or even the young Frenchman, Isack Hadjar. Yet, it is the rookie Liam Lawson who has been chosen by the Austrian team.

Last week, Yuki Tsunoda had his first opportunity to drive for Red Bull during the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi. The Japanese driver expressed satisfaction with how easily he adapted to the RB20, even though he didn’t achieve particularly impressive lap times. Helmut Marko congratulated Yuki Tsunoda for his efforts, revealing that the team was pleased with his technical feedback.

« Yuki had the opportunity to take to the track with the RB20 during post-season testing, and the team was pleased with his technical feedback, » added Helmut Marko. « In this respect, he is much better than what is being said about him. »

Several questions remain unanswered: What is the future for Sergio Perez? Will Liam Lawson confirm in 2025? Will Yuki Tsunoda stay with Red Bull? Answers on March 16, at the opening Grand Prix of the 2025 season.