Red Bull’s new recruit, Liam Lawson, is girding his loins as he steps into the high-octane world of Formula 1. The New Zealander, who has only spent a meager day and a half familiarizing himself with his new team and car, acknowledges the steep learning curve ahead. The fresh circuits that the F1 2025 championship will kick off with, the Albert Park street circuit and the Shanghai International, pose additional challenges.
Lawson is, however, not alone in his uphill battle. His teammate, the four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, will be alongside him, working diligently to refine the car’s performance and perfect the set-up.
Lawson will contest his 12th Grand Prix with Red Bull Racing, having earned the promotion to the senior team after it severed ties with the beleaguered Sergio Perez. The young driver is under no illusions about the enormity of the task that lies ahead.
Following the opening rounds in Australia and China, the F1 caravan will move to Suzuka, a circuit where Lawson narrowly missed scoring points during the 2023 event, when he played understudy to the injured Daniel Ricciardo. The line-up then includes Bahrain, a track he has extensively lapped in pre-season testing, and Jeddah, where he tasted victory in the Formula 2 Sprint with Carlin in 2022.
Despite the challenges, Lawson remains optimistic about his journey with Red Bull. He acknowledges that while he’s acclimatizing to the F1 landscape, Verstappen will take the lead in fine-tuning the RB21 to its optimum performance.
Lawson expressed his thoughts on the car’s current feel during his interaction with the media on Day Three in Bahrain. He emphasized the importance of track learning, especially when the season kicks off in unfamiliar territory.
The silver lining, however, is that both he and Verstappen share similar first impressions about the RB21. Lawson admits that adapting to the car is paramount and feels they’re in a comfortable place at the moment.
Lawson’s association with Red Bull isn’t new; he spent several years as a reserve member, observing the team’s dynamics and Verstappen’s work ethic. This experience has provided him with a solid understanding of the team, despite his limited time behind the wheel.
The upcoming season is projected to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with four to six teams vying for the top spot. Lawson’s role extends beyond personal growth; he’s tasked with supporting Verstappen in his bid for a fifth consecutive World title and assisting Red Bull in reclaiming the Constructors’ title.
Lawson is aware of the high-stakes competition and expects a tight race, especially given the continuous optimization of cars during a regulation period. The real test, however, will unfold during qualifying in Melbourne. In Lawson’s words, “we probably won’t truly find out until qualifying in Melbourne.”
