Formula 1: Liam Lawson Poised for Major Opportunity with Red Bull
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Synopsis
Liam Lawson is excited about his new role at Red Bull, racing alongside Max Verstappen. After two seasons as a reserve driver, he is eager to prove himself on the Formula 1 stage and establish his presence in the sport.
Key Takeaways
- Liam Lawson is thrilled about his full-time promotion to Red Bull.
- He aims to prove himself alongside Max Verstappen.
- Lawson believes he has the pace to compete at a high level.
- His journey to Red Bull has been unconventional but promising.
- He feels prepared to race after extensive experience in the paddock.
New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) Liam Lawson is embracing what he describes as a big opportunity as he readies himself to race alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, calling his full-time promotion to the team very, very exciting. The young New Zealander is keen to showcase his skills on the grand stage of Formula 1 after two seasons as a test and reserve driver.
Lawson’s path to Red Bull has been unconventional, featuring just 11 mid-season Grand Prix starts with Racing Bulls (previously AlphaTauri) throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons. However, his performances during those races were convincing enough for Red Bull to take a chance on him, deciding to part ways with Sergio Perez in favor of the promising 23-year-old.
For Lawson, this move signifies not just a chance to race but also an opportunity to establish his presence in the sport. Unlike previous Red Bull junior drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon—who were promoted to the senior team only to be replaced after brief tenures—Lawson is determined to seize this opportunity. Having been part of the Red Bull system for years, he feels at home in this environment and is enthusiastic about contributing. “It’s the first time that I’ve had a proper pre-season, so it’s been quite strange to have so much time,” Lawson stated ahead of his debut season as a full-time Red Bull driver. “It feels like, honestly, now, I’m ready to go racing.”
His confidence stems not only from his familiarity with the Red Bull setup but also from his belief that he possesses the pace and capability to compete at the highest level. Having already been part of the Formula 1 grid, albeit in a limited capacity, he asserts that he no longer feels like a rookie. “I feel like a rookie in Melbourne and those tracks…the tracks I haven’t done, for sure,” he admitted. “But in F1? No. I’ve been in the paddock long enough, I’ve obviously done enough races, to know how the sport works and to understand it.”
Despite this assertion, Lawson is still officially recognized as one of six rookies on the 2025 grid, alongside Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, Alpine’s Jack Doohan, Haas’ Oliver Bearman, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, and Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto.
Nonetheless, he sees himself in a unique position compared to the others. Having already raced under real conditions and collaborated closely with Red Bull’s main team, he possesses the experience that many newcomers lack.
“At the start of the season, it’s going to feel quite new, just because of the tracks we’re visiting and because it’s the beginning of a new season, but no, in F1, I don’t feel like a rookie.”
Now, the challenge for Lawson will be to establish himself as a worthy teammate to Verstappen, who has dominated the sport in recent years. Lawson understands he will be compared to the reigning four-time world champion, but he seems undaunted by the responsibility ahead. His focus remains on maximizing his potential and delivering strong performances rather than being intimidated by the stature of his teammate.
The pre-season testing sessions in Bahrain have already provided Lawson with a glimpse of what to expect from the RB21, and he believes the car is in a strong position heading into the new campaign.
