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Liam Lawson: Red Bull’s New Star Battles Social Media Abuse and Prepares for Verstappen Challenge

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Liam Lawson’s Rise to F1: The New Zealand Prodigy Who Displaced Daniel Ricciardo

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 20: Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB looks on in the garage prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 20, 2024 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409200099 // Usage for editorial use only //

Liam Lawson’s rise to Red Bull Racing’s top seat alongside Max Verstappen in 2025 has been a journey of triumph and turbulence. The 22-year-old New Zealander, promoted after a stellar late-season audition, has proven his mettle on the track. However, off the circuit, Lawson has faced an unexpected challenge: targeted abuse from a vocal minority of fans on social media.

From the Shadows to the Spotlight

Lawson’s journey to Red Bull has been nothing short of dramatic. After years in the junior ranks and a third-place finish in his final Formula 2 season, Lawson spent 2023 on the sidelines as Red Bull’s reserve driver. His big break came mid-2024 when he filled in for Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri following the Australian’s hand injury.

Despite limited preparation, Lawson scored points at the Singapore Grand Prix and showed immense promise in subsequent races. When Red Bull parted ways with Sergio Perez late in the season, Lawson stepped into the RB19 for six critical races. His aggressive driving and consistent results earned him the coveted seat alongside Verstappen, displacing Ricciardo for 2025.

The Dark Side of Fame: Social Media Abuse

While Lawson’s rise has thrilled many fans, it hasn’t come without controversy. Supporters of Ricciardo and Perez have targeted the young driver with abusive messages, accusing him of undeservedly taking their favorites’ seats. In an interview with The Times, Lawson admitted he “wasn’t ready” for the vitriol and has since reduced his social media activity.

“Originally I saw a lot of [the abuse] because I didn’t expect it. I wasn’t ready for that,” Lawson shared. “To be honest, I just don’t really go on social media at all anymore—I will post for my fanbase, but I won’t scroll or look through messages.”

Lawson emphasized that his focus remains on racing, adding, “You do the prep for F1 to be ready as a driver, and then you don’t really expect that kind of stuff… because you’re just focused on driving.”

On-Track Fireworks

Lawson’s fiery approach to his late-season audition didn’t sit well with all drivers. At the Mexican Grand Prix, he clashed with home favorite Perez, flipping him the middle finger during a daring overtake. Lawson later apologized, but tensions remained, with Perez calling for Red Bull to address the incident. Lawson also locked horns with Fernando Alonso in Austin, demonstrating his determination to leave a mark.

Reflecting on his aggressive style, Lawson said, “There’s nothing personal with anybody, but I [had] six races to show something. I’m not trying to be overly aggressive to prove anything, but I’m also not going to race any differently because somebody’s experienced or somebody’s respected in the sport.”

The Verstappen Test: A New Challenge

Joining Verstappen at Red Bull is no easy task. Former teammates Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and Perez all struggled to adapt to Red Bull’s notoriously tricky car dynamics. While Perez lasted four seasons, all three drivers found the car’s characteristics difficult to match with their driving styles.

Lawson, however, isn’t buying into the narrative of “driving styles” being a Red Bull stumbling block. “I don’t really know if I believe in it so much in terms of a driving style,” he told PlanetF1. “I think… as drivers, we’re professionals, we have to adapt to whatever we’re driving.”

Having spent years as a Red Bull reserve and development driver, Lawson feels well-prepared to tackle the challenges ahead. “I spent a lot of time developing that car as well, as a junior and as a reserve for the last couple of years, and I feel like I understand quite well the way the car drives.”

Looking Ahead: A High-Stakes Season

As Lawson prepares for his first full season at Red Bull, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Facing off against Verstappen—a driver in peak form and with four consecutive championships—will test Lawson’s skills, resilience, and adaptability. Meanwhile, the newly renamed Racing Bulls team (formerly AlphaTauri) will see Red Bull juniors Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda in action, adding further intrigue to the 2025 grid.

While social media criticism remains a challenge, Lawson’s focus is clear: proving himself worthy of the seat he’s earned and silencing doubters with his performance on the track. For the Kiwi, the real battles will be fought under the lights, where he’s determined to rise above the noise and make his mark as a Red Bull star.

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