Liam Lawson, a 23-year-old New Zealander, has taken a significant stride in his motorsport career by taking his first laps as a ‘senior’ Red Bull Racing driver. This significant milestone was achieved when he test-drove a Red Bull at the Spanish circuit, Jerez, earlier this month.
The young driver is preparing to accompany the four-time World Champion, Max Verstappen, in the upcoming season. This test drive was Lawson’s first experience in a Red Bull vehicle since being promoted from the Red Bull reserve and VCARB driver to the ‘senior’ team.
In the past, Lawson has had the chance to drive Red Bull models, but this was his first time experiencing the thrill of driving in the iconic Red Bull colours. His new status as a senior team member was revealed recently, marking a significant step in his career.
Lawson’s test drive took place in the RB19 – the Red Bull’s victorious 2023 model. He spent a day at Jerez familiarizing himself with the car and working closely with his new team at Milton Keynes, laying the groundwork for the new season ahead.
The announcement of Lawson’s promotion means he will replace Sergio Perez in the 2025 season. This comes after his two brief spells with Red Bull’s sister team in 2023 and 2024.
Lawson recently attended a special event at London’s O2 Arena where he unveiled the livery of Red Bull’s 2025 car, the RB21. During the event, he spoke about his pre-season preparations and his anticipation for the challenge of partnering with Verstappen.
When questioned about his off-season training and if there was anything specific he had learned about Formula 1 from his previous stints, Lawson expressed that experience was the key factor. In his words, it’s all about “time in the seat.”
He further elaborated that coping with external pressures is another essential aspect of the sport. As a senior member of the Red Bull team, he expects this pressure to increase and is preparing to handle it.
Lawson emphasized that no specific area had been worked on during his preparation. Instead, it had been a combination of various tasks, including physical training, spending more time with the team, and getting acclimated to the new crew in the garage. He highlighted the importance of building comfortable relationships with new team members as they gear up for the start of the season.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the exciting F1 2025 season.
