Red Bull has ended its partnership with Sergio Perez ahead of the 2025 F1 season, concluding the Mexican driver’s four-year stint with the team. Perez struggled to match the pace of his world champion teammate Max Verstappen and rivals from McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari, finishing eighth in the drivers’ standings. His performance was a factor in Red Bull dropping to third in the constructors’ championship, surrendering their crown to McLaren.
The Milton Keans team has announced Liam Lawson as the candidate to replace the Mexican driver. New Zealand driver has competed in just 11 Formula One races—five in 2023 and six in 2024—but has earned a golden opportunity after delivering standout performances in the final races of the season. Having replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull in September, Lawson will now step in for Perez, who departed the team on Wednesday.
Christian Horner has chosen to promote Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda, who will remain with the sister team Racing Bulls for a fifth consecutive season in 2025. It is anticipated that Red Bull junior and this year’s F2 runner-up, Isack Hadjar, will take Lawson’s place at RB, with Williams’ Franco Colapinto also being considered as a potential candidate.
“To be announced as a 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,” Lawson said.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at RB for their support, the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step. I also want to thank, Christian, Helmut [Marko] 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!” he added.
BREAKING: Liam Lawson to race for Red Bull in 2025 #F1 pic.twitter.com/xOf9w4uPgu
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 19, 2024
Although Lawson was outscored by Tsunoda during their time as teammates, he demonstrated enough to convince Red Bull boss Christian Horner that he has greater potential. Lawson will become Verstappen’s fifth teammate since the Dutchman joined Red Bull in 2016, taking on what many regard as the toughest role in F1, going head-to-head with a driver who has claimed the last four world championships.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
