Liam Lawson, the young Kiwi set to make waves at Red Bull in 2025, recently shared a humorous story about his time in DTM alongside Alex Albon. Lawson recalled how his relentless curiosity about Formula 1 and Red Bull might have driven Albon to the brink of frustration.
In 2021, Lawson and Albon were teammates in Ferrari GT3 cars competing in DTM. At the time, Albon had just stepped back from his Formula 1 seat at Red Bull after a challenging stint alongside Max Verstappen. For Lawson, still climbing the motorsport ranks, the opportunity to extract insights from someone with Red Bull and F1 experience was too good to pass up.
Lawson: “I Probably Drove Him Crazy”
Lawson admitted to pestering Albon with an endless stream of questions about Formula 1, Red Bull, and the intricacies of racing at the highest level.
“When we were in DTM, he probably got sick of me asking him all the questions, but I asked him a lot about Red Bull and what it was like in the team and how the car was,” Lawson shared, laughing at the memory.
Albon, who had firsthand experience driving the fastest single-seater on the grid, became an invaluable resource for Lawson during their DTM days. But the 22-year-old now realizes he might have overdone it.
The Tables Have Turned
Fast-forward to 2025, and Lawson has earned his place at Red Bull, replacing Sergio Perez for a full season. While Lawson has already shown flashes of brilliance during his substitute role for Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, he knows there’s still much to learn.
Interestingly, Lawson joked that he might find himself reaching out to Albon again, this time for guidance on managing the challenges of being Verstappen’s teammate and navigating the high-stakes world of Red Bull Racing.
“I think he’ll be somebody that I contact again now, knowing this. Obviously, this is all very, very new. I’ll be on the phone to Alex for sure in the next few weeks and trying to get some more info!” Lawson quipped.
Big Shoes to Fill
Lawson’s debut full season at Red Bull comes with immense pressure. The team is grappling with significant engineering personnel changes, and Verstappen’s unparalleled dominance sets a daunting benchmark for any teammate. Lawson’s performance will be closely scrutinized, not just by fans but by team leaders like Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, who took a calculated risk in promoting him over other candidates.
The 2025 season will test Lawson’s resilience and adaptability as he steps into one of the most challenging seats in motorsport. However, with his inquisitive nature and willingness to learn, Lawson is well-equipped to seize the opportunity.
From Curious Rookie to Red Bull Contender
Lawson’s anecdote highlights his growth from an eager rookie peppering Albon with questions to a rising star on the cusp of his first full Formula 1 season with Red Bull. As the 2025 season approaches, fans and experts alike will watch closely to see if Lawson’s blend of talent, determination, and curiosity can help him thrive under the immense spotlight of Formula 1.
