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Liam Lawson’s Red Bull Promotion: Opportunity or Risk for driver and team?

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
December 23, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
The Grin Is Gone, and Lawson’s on a Mission: Kiwi Driver Steps Up as Ricciardo Bows Out

AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 17: Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App RB has a seat fitting in the garage during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 17, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202410180001 // Usage for editorial use only //

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Red Bull Racing is no stranger to taking bold decisions, and the promotion of Liam Lawson to the senior team for 2025 is no exception. While the young Kiwi’s talent is undeniable, Red Bull boss Christian Horner acknowledges the potential pitfalls of pushing Lawson into the spotlight too soon. This decision, while exciting, carries risks reminiscent of past missteps with Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, both of whom struggled with the intense demands of driving alongside Max Verstappen.


Why Lawson Over Tsunoda?

The choice to elevate Lawson over the more seasoned Yuki Tsunoda signals Red Bull’s faith in the rookie’s mental toughness and raw potential. Horner emphasized Lawson’s resilience, noting his ability to seize opportunities during his 11 F1 starts with the junior team, now rebranded as Racing Bulls.

“He’s shown real resilience and strength of character with the opportunity that’s been provided,” Horner said. “He doesn’t shy away from having a very positive front end in the car.”

This driving style aligns with Verstappen’s, suggesting the pair could share a similar setup philosophy—a crucial factor in maximizing team performance.

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A Forced Acceleration

Horner admitted that promoting Lawson this early wasn’t the original plan. However, Sergio Perez’s underwhelming 2024 season made the decision inevitable.

“Circumstances have dictated [the acceleration of Lawson’s promotion],” Horner explained. “Checo unfortunately didn’t have a great season, so this has been accelerated.”

Lawson’s trajectory was deemed promising enough to warrant the leap, even if it wasn’t initially scheduled.


Learning from Past Mistakes

Red Bull’s history of promoting young drivers has been hit-or-miss. Both Gasly and Albon struggled under the immense pressure of competing alongside Verstappen, resulting in their demotion to the junior team. However, Horner believes that lessons from these experiences, coupled with Verstappen’s now-established dominance, create a more favorable environment for Lawson.

“When Alex and Pierre were with the team, Max wasn’t a four-time World Champion,” Horner noted. “We have a very clear positioning in the team with where Max is at in his career and what we need from the second driver.”

The RB21, Red Bull’s upcoming car, is also being developed with a broader performance window than its predecessor, the RB20, which had a narrow and unforgiving setup range. This change is aimed at giving Lawson a more adaptable car, reducing the pressure to immediately match Verstappen’s performance.


Managing Expectations

Horner stressed the importance of shielding Lawson from overwhelming expectations. While Verstappen’s supremacy ensures the team’s hierarchy is clear, Lawson’s role will be to support the team’s championship goals without the burden of leading the charge.


Can Lawson Shine Amid the Pressure?

Liam Lawson’s promotion marks a pivotal moment in his young career. With Red Bull’s resources and mentorship, he has the tools to succeed. However, the challenges of competing against a seasoned and dominant teammate like Verstappen cannot be underestimated.

As Horner aptly put it:

“The danger is there’s a repeat of [past struggles]. But Liam is a different character.”

Now, all eyes are on Lawson to see if he can rise to the occasion and establish himself as a future F1 star.

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