Liam Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull Racing alongside reigning four-time champion Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula 1 season has set the stage for one of the most challenging rookie campaigns in recent memory. With only 11 Grand Prix starts under his belt, Lawson enters the sport’s top team amid sky-high expectations from Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko and Team Principal Christian Horner.
Marko’s Challenge: “Prove You’re a Tough Racer”
Helmut Marko, a key architect of Red Bull’s driver development program, has made it clear that Lawson must carry his steely determination and racing grit into a full season. Marko praised Lawson’s debut performances, particularly his uncompromising battles with F1 icons Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and even Sergio Perez—the man whose seat Lawson has now taken.
“Liam proved already that he’s a tough racer,” Marko said on the Inside Line F1 Podcast. “If he gets a full season, he has to show that he is able to race consistently.”
Marko acknowledged that Lawson’s relative inexperience leaves room for improvement but emphasized his potential: “In qualifying, he was more or less on the same level as Yuki [Tsunoda]. His race consistency is better, but variation still exists. That comes with experience.”
Horner’s Confidence: “A Real Racer”
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner echoed Marko’s sentiments, highlighting Lawson’s fearlessness on the grid. “Liam’s performances in his stints with AlphaTauri demonstrated he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but also that he’s a real racer, unafraid to mix it with the best and come out on top,” Horner remarked.
Lawson’s combative displays in 2024, including a fiery Sprint Race clash with Alonso in Austin and a no-holds-barred duel with Perez in Mexico, have cemented his reputation as a driver unafraid of big names or big moments.
High Expectations and Historical Comparisons
Adding to the pressure, Marko drew comparisons between Lawson and legendary New Zealanders Bruce McLaren, founder of McLaren Racing, and 1967 Drivers’ Champion Denny Hulme. “Lawson reminds me of Bruce McLaren or Denny Hulme, quite down-to-earth and mentally strong,” Marko told Auto Motor und Sport.
For a rookie stepping into Verstappen’s shadow, these comparisons amplify the weight of expectation. Lawson will need to channel the grit and tenacity that propelled McLaren and Hulme to greatness if he hopes to make his mark in a team built around Verstappen’s dominance.
The Verstappen Factor
Sharing a garage with Max Verstappen—arguably one of the most dominant drivers in F1 history—poses its own set of challenges. Lawson will face the double-edged sword of learning from Verstappen’s expertise while inevitably being measured against the Dutch superstar.
“Mixing it with the best” isn’t just a mantra for Lawson; it’s a survival skill he’ll need to hone from the very first race. With Red Bull’s ruthless emphasis on results, any missteps could quickly shift the narrative from rookie potential to unfulfilled expectations.
Lawson’s Path Forward
Lawson’s ascent to Red Bull Racing comes on the back of standout performances for AlphaTauri, where he demonstrated adaptability and mental toughness. From his debut at Zandvoort—jumping into the car after Daniel Ricciardo’s injury—to his consistent grit in high-pressure scenarios, Lawson has already shown he belongs on the F1 grid.
However, a full season with Red Bull demands more than flashes of brilliance. It requires unwavering consistency, resilience under pressure, and the ability to extract maximum performance from the RB21—the car that has dominated the F1 landscape.
Can Lawson Rise to the Challenge?
The 2025 season represents both a tremendous opportunity and an immense challenge for Liam Lawson. Red Bull has placed its faith in the young Kiwi, seeing in him the makings of a future star. But with expectations to emulate legends, compete alongside Verstappen, and deliver consistent results, the pressure is palpable.
Lawson has the talent, the mental fortitude, and now, the platform. Whether he can seize the moment and prove himself as one of F1’s next great drivers remains to be seen. For now, Red Bull and the racing world will be watching closely as the newest addition to their ranks takes on the sport’s toughest challenge.
