Liam Lawson Gears Up for “Massive” Learning Opportunity as Verstappen’s Teammate
Liam Lawson may have one of the toughest jobs in Formula 1, stepping into the teammate role alongside the dominant Max Verstappen at Red Bull. As the first driver younger than Verstappen, the 23-year-old New Zealander faces an uphill battle, but Lawson is ready to embrace the challenge of a lifetime.
With Verstappen winning four consecutive titles and claiming a reputation for crushing teammates, Lawson knows the road ahead will be grueling. “Max is extremely successful in the sport,” Lawson told reporters at the F1 launch event in London. “Coming in knowing the team’s goal of winning the constructors’ title and getting back on top, that’s really what I’m here to help achieve. And if we’re doing that, I know that I’m doing my job.”
This marks Lawson’s first full season in Formula 1, a far cry from his earlier, uncertain days in the sport when he wasn’t sure of his future. Despite not yet finishing higher than ninth in 11 starts, Lawson remains optimistic about his place at Red Bull, even though he’s stepping into the shadow of Verstappen’s brilliance. “It’s a great opportunity, the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had,” he said, acknowledging that his role will be key in supporting Verstappen and helping Red Bull reclaim the top spot in the constructors’ standings.
Lawson is aware of the intense expectations, particularly after Sergio Perez’s struggles last season, which led to Red Bull losing the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren. But the Kiwi isn’t shying away from the challenge. He sees Verstappen as the perfect mentor. “As fast as Max is, I get access to everything he’s doing, so from a learning opportunity, it’s also massive,” Lawson explained. “There’s really nobody better to learn off than him.”
Although Lawson harbors confidence in his abilities, he isn’t expecting to surpass Verstappen immediately. “I don’t expect to come in and be the best,” Lawson admitted. “Obviously, we all believe that we are the best. In any top-level sport, you can’t go into a match or a game and think that the person against you could be better than you. We all believe we are, and I do, but going up against guys who have done eight or nine seasons of Formula 1… I don’t expect to come in and beat somebody like that off the bat.”
His goal isn’t necessarily to dethrone Verstappen but to contribute to the team’s success while progressing towards that goal of winning. “For me, it’s about progressing towards that goal of winning. I definitely have enough of that self-belief,” he said.
The 2025 season kicks off on March 16 in Melbourne, a special race for Lawson as it’s the closest thing to a home race for him. “Hopefully, the Australians don’t hate me too much,” he joked, recalling his four laps around the track in a V8 Supercar last year. “It’s a really cool track. I did four laps in a V8 Supercar around it last year and it was pretty fun.”
As Lawson embarks on what promises to be a transformative season, he’s ready to learn from the best in the business and help Red Bull chase its ambitious goals.
