Liam Lawson is about to step into one of the most brutal proving grounds in Formula 1—a Red Bull seat alongside the sport’s most dominant force, Max Verstappen. The young Kiwi talent knows the road ahead will be anything but smooth, and with only 11 Grand Prix starts under his belt, the pressure to deliver is immense.
With a daunting calendar ahead, a team expecting immediate results, and Verstappen setting near-impossible benchmarks, Lawson is under no illusions about what’s to come. Can he handle the Red Bull furnace, or will he become the latest casualty of Verstappen’s relentless reign?
A Steep Learning Curve: Lawson Faces the Unknown
Despite showing flashes of brilliance during his AlphaTauri stand-in performances in 2023, Lawson is about to embark on an entirely new chapter. Red Bull made a bold statement by selecting him as Sergio Perez’s replacement, ending the Mexican’s underwhelming tenure in the second seat.
However, the real battle starts now, and Lawson acknowledges that his biggest challenge will be tackling circuits he has never raced on in an F1 car.
“Going into a year like this, especially at the start of the season, I’m going to a lot of tracks I haven’t done before,” Lawson admitted.
“I think the start of the year is going to be the hardest. Going to a bunch of tracks I haven’t done before, in a new team, with big expectations—it’s going to be very, very tough.”
Lawson’s rookie campaign in 2025 will throw him into the deep end with formidable tracks like Melbourne, Shanghai, Miami, and Montreal, where he has zero F1 experience. While some drivers ease into their seats, Lawson won’t have that luxury—Red Bull expects results immediately.
Still, the Kiwi remains upbeat, calling it an exciting opportunity rather than a burden.
“There’s a lot of cool tracks that I haven’t done that I think I will enjoy, like Melbourne. China looks like a cool track, and Canada is somewhere I’ve always wanted to drive.
“I’ve only ever finished a season, I’ve never really completed one. So I think the start of the year is going to be the hardest. But I would say I’m also most excited to go to these new tracks.”
Lawson is eager to embrace the challenge, but historically, Red Bull has little patience for growing pains.
The Verstappen Factor: A Ruthless Teammate Awaits
Joining Red Bull Racing means dealing with one harsh reality—you’re in Max Verstappen’s territory. Since 2019, Red Bull has chewed up and spit out every driver who tried to match Verstappen’s pace.
Lawson enters the same treacherous waters that sank Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and most recently, Sergio Perez.
“There’s more opportunity than ever having someone like Max as a teammate,” Lawson admitted.
“He’s been in this team for 10 years and obviously has just won the last four world championships.”
Unlike others who battled Verstappen’s relentless speed, Lawson is taking a different approach—one rooted in learning rather than rivalry.
“There’s nobody better to align everything I’m doing with because all of our data is going to be shared. That’s a great opportunity to learn.”
He isn’t blind to the daunting challenge ahead, but his mindset is clear—maximize every lesson from Verstappen while staying in the fight.
“Obviously at the same time, having somebody so quick and competitive is going to come with its challenges. So for me, it’s just about making the most of that.”
This self-awareness may be key to Lawson surviving the Red Bull gauntlet.
Red Bull’s Ruthless Reality: Will Lawson Be the Next Casualty?
Red Bull doesn’t nurture second drivers—it tests them under fire. If Lawson falters, he won’t get a long leash. The team has a history of quick replacements, and with top-tier talent waiting in the wings, there’s no room for mediocrity.
However, if the New Zealander can adapt quickly, minimize mistakes, and absorb every ounce of knowledge from Verstappen, he has a chance to carve out a real future at Red Bull.
The 2025 season will be his ultimate test. Can Liam Lawson withstand the brutal expectations that come with being Verstappen’s teammate, or will he be another name on the list of failed Red Bull second drivers?
Only time—and the first few races of 2025—will tell.
