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Red Bull’s High-Stakes Gamble: Liam Lawson to Replace Sergio Perez—Future Superstar or Next Scapegoat?

Redação by Redação
December 19, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Liam Lawson Gears Up for F1 Return: Kiwi’s Shot at Red Bull Comes with High Stakes

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - MARCH 08: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB walk in the Paddock prior to final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 08, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202403080389 // Usage for editorial use only //

The promotion of Liam Lawson to Red Bull Racing for the 2025 season is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing driver decisions in recent years. It’s a move that raises several questions: Is Lawson ready for the pressure of partnering with Max Verstappen, arguably one of the most dominant drivers in Formula 1 history? Did Red Bull miss an opportunity to field a stronger, more experienced pairing by passing on Carlos Sainz? And what does this decision say about the future of Red Bull’s driver program?

Let’s dissect the major points:


Liam Lawson: A High-Risk, High-Reward Gamble

Lawson has demonstrated undeniable talent in his limited F1 outings. His ability to adapt quickly and hold his ground against more experienced competitors shows promise. However, there’s a vast difference between impressing in a mid-grid car and thriving under the microscope of the Red Bull Racing juggernaut alongside Verstappen. The Dutchman is notorious for pushing teammates to their limits, and history has shown that even strong drivers like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon struggled in the same seat.

Red Bull’s confidence in Lawson stems from his resilience, racecraft, and willingness to fight hard on track. But is that enough to survive—and thrive—at the senior team? Without a proven record of consistency at the top level, Lawson’s selection feels more like a stop-gap solution than a long-term strategy. It’s worth noting that Red Bull has a history of cycling through drivers who fail to meet their sky-high expectations.


The Sainz Conundrum

Red Bull’s decision to pass on Carlos Sainz is puzzling. As a proven race winner with years of experience, Sainz would have brought stability and a higher level of assurance to the team. Yes, Sainz and Verstappen share a complicated past from their time together at Toro Rosso, but strong teams have thrived with competitive driver pairings before—think Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes or Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at McLaren.

Sainz’s move to Williams only underscores the missed opportunity for Red Bull. His ability to deliver consistent results, even in a mid-field car, would have made him an ideal choice to help Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship, especially after their fall to third in 2024.


Yuki Tsunoda: The Overlooked Option

Tsunoda’s progress over four seasons at the junior team has been notable. He’s shown flashes of speed and has matured significantly as a driver. While not without his flaws, Tsunoda’s existing experience in F1 arguably makes him a safer bet than Lawson. Yet, Red Bull’s decision indicates a belief that Tsunoda’s ceiling might not be high enough to justify his promotion.


The Max Verstappen Factor

The shadow of Verstappen looms large over any Red Bull teammate. To date, no driver has come close to matching his pace and consistency. Red Bull’s focus appears to be on finding a driver who can reliably secure points without disrupting Verstappen’s dominance. Lawson’s youth and adaptability may allow him to mold his style around Verstappen’s, but the question remains: Will Lawson’s confidence crumble under the weight of Verstappen’s superiority?


Red Bull’s Long-Term Vision

This decision highlights a deeper issue: Red Bull’s struggle to identify Verstappen’s eventual successor. The junior program has yet to produce a talent capable of stepping into Verstappen’s shoes. While prospects like Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad show promise, they are still years away from being ready for F1’s top team.

By promoting Lawson, Red Bull risks burning another young talent before they’ve had the chance to fully develop. If Lawson falters, it will only deepen the perception that Red Bull’s second seat is a poisoned chalice.


The Verdict

  • For Red Bull: The choice of Lawson feels like a short-term fix rather than a bold strategic move. Passing on Sainz might haunt them, especially as rival teams like McLaren and Ferrari grow stronger.
  • For Lawson: This is the opportunity of a lifetime, but also a daunting challenge that could define—or derail—his career.
  • For F1 fans: It’s another chapter in Red Bull’s high-stakes driver strategy, one that could either solidify their dominance or expose cracks in their foundation.

Lawson has the talent, but whether he has the resilience to survive—and even thrive—alongside Verstappen is the million-dollar question. Either way, 2025 promises to be a pivotal season not just for Red Bull, but for the trajectory of Liam Lawson’s career.

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