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Christian Horner Admits Liam Lawson Faces Sink-or-Swim Moment in Red Bull’s Pressure Cooker

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
December 20, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Christian Horner Admits Liam Lawson Faces Sink-or-Swim Moment in Red Bull’s Pressure Cooker

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 01: Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner holds a camera the team celebration photo in the Pitlane after the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on December 01, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202412010406 // Usage for editorial use only //

Red Bull Racing’s decision to fast-track rookie Liam Lawson into one of the most high-pressure seats in Formula 1 has sparked intense scrutiny, with team principal Christian Horner candidly admitting the move comes with significant risks. The New Zealander will step up to partner four-time world champion Max Verstappen in 2025, bypassing the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda as the team parts ways with Sergio Perez.

Horner, reflecting on past missteps with junior drivers, acknowledges the danger of promoting a young talent too soon but remains optimistic that Lawson’s character and style can overcome the immense challenges ahead.

“There’s Always a Danger”: Horner on Red Bull’s Bold Gamble

“Look, the danger is there’s a repeat of what we’ve seen before,” Horner admitted, referencing the struggles of Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, both of whom faltered in the Red Bull seat under similar circumstances. “But I think that Liam is a different character. He’s shown real resilience and strength of character with the opportunity he’s had to step in and deliver.”

Lawson, with just 11 Grand Prix starts under his belt, faces an accelerated career trajectory after Perez’s underwhelming 2024 season forced Red Bull’s hand. However, Horner is confident in Lawson’s potential, noting his compatibility with the team’s philosophy and Verstappen’s aggressive driving style.

“He drives the car in a similar fashion to Max,” Horner explained. “He doesn’t shy away from having a very positive front end in the car. That similarity will make it easier to align car setups and foster collaboration between the two drivers.”

Learning from the Past: Protecting Lawson from Pressure

Red Bull’s turbulent history with junior drivers stepping into the main team’s seat looms large. Gasly and Albon struggled to match Verstappen’s meteoric rise, prompting the team to pivot to Perez in 2021. Horner believes the dynamic is different this time, with Verstappen’s established status as the team leader providing clarity for Lawson’s role.

“We have a very clear positioning in the team now,” Horner stated. “Max is a four-time world champion. That wasn’t the case when Alex and Pierre were here. Liam’s expectations will be managed, and he’ll have a more forgiving environment to develop.”

Designing a More Forgiving Car

Horner also revealed that the team is focusing on creating a broader operating window for their 2025 challenger, the RB21, addressing the RB20’s notoriously peaky performance. This development is expected to ease Lawson’s transition and mitigate the challenges that plagued Red Bull’s second drivers in the past.

“The RB20 could be very unforgiving at times,” Horner admitted. “For 2025, we’re working hard to make the car more consistent and less peaky, which should help Liam find his footing more quickly.”

Managing Expectations: The Lawson-Verstappen Dynamic

Horner emphasized that Lawson’s integration into the team must come with tempered expectations. “One of the key focuses will be to shield Liam from undue pressure,” he said. “Max is at a completely different stage in his career, and the dynamic within the team reflects that. We know what we need from the second driver, and it’s not about trying to match Max every weekend—it’s about complementing him.”

A Defining Chapter for Red Bull

As Lawson gears up to step into one of the most scrutinized roles in Formula 1, the stakes are sky-high for Red Bull. The team’s gamble reflects a delicate balance between nurturing young talent and maintaining its dominance in the sport. For Lawson, 2025 will be a sink-or-swim moment that could either cement his place in Formula 1 or echo the struggles of his predecessors.

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