The dawn of the 2025 Formula 1 season sees Red Bull Racing rolling the dice, betting big on the promising but unproven Liam Lawson to partner four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. The move signals a clear shift for the team as they attempt to reclaim their dominance in the Constructors’ Championship after a tumultuous 2024 season.
The Lawson experiment: A star in the making or a risk too big?
After a string of solid performances during an 11-race stint with Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls, the 23-year-old Kiwi has earned his shot at the big leagues. Lawson’s promotion came at the expense of Sergio Perez, whose early departure caps a career in F1 marked by highs and lows. Yet, Red Bull’s notoriously high-pressure environment could make or break the young driver.
1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve had a blunt warning for Lawson: “It’s a big opportunity, but Red Bull’s main team has crushed plenty of young talents. We’ve seen them collapse under the pressure. The key question is whether Liam is mentally tough enough.”
A new dynamic at Red Bull
Lawson’s arrival isn’t just a changing of the guard; it’s a seismic shift in Red Bull’s approach. For years, Verstappen has operated as the undisputed leader, effortlessly eclipsing teammates like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez. But Villeneuve believes Lawson won’t settle for being a mere backup:
“Contractually, he’s there to support Verstappen. But in his own head, he’ll want to prove he can replace Max someday. That ambition could push Max to new heights—or create friction within the team.”
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has set a high bar, expecting Lawson to stay within two to three-tenths of Verstappen’s pace in key sessions. Anything less, and the narrative of a “future star” could unravel.
Villeneuve’s take on Perez and Tsunoda: The end of the road?
With Lawson in the spotlight, the question looms: what’s next for Sergio Perez? Villeneuve minced no words:
“Sergio should take the money and enjoy life. Maybe endurance racing. F1 is done for him. Red Bull reignited his career for a brief moment, but that spark is gone.”
The former champion also cast doubt on Yuki Tsunoda, predicting that the Japanese driver’s F1 tenure is nearing its conclusion: “Tsunoda is only there because of Honda. Once that backing stops, so will his time in F1.”
The rookie revolution: Bold or reckless?
Red Bull’s reshuffle extends beyond its main team. In their junior outfit, 20-year-old Isack Hadjar, the 2024 Formula 2 runner-up, joins Tsunoda. But Villeneuve remains skeptical of the rapid promotion of young drivers with limited experience.
“Formula 2 has never been a reliable predictor of F1 success,” he said. “These rookies come in young and untested. It’s surprising how little preparation they get for the pinnacle of motorsport.”
Villeneuve specifically pointed to Franco Colapinto’s struggles as a cautionary tale: “He got a golden chance in F1 but didn’t capitalize. It’s on him, not the team.”
The stakes for 2025: A pivotal season
As Red Bull sets its sights on reclaiming the Constructors’ title, the pressure on Lawson is immense. Villeneuve summed it up succinctly: “If it’s not a championship-winning car, Lawson’s success will be measured by how close he is to Verstappen. Finishing one or two places behind Max is the minimum expectation.”
Red Bull’s gamble on Lawson could pay off spectacularly—or backfire in dramatic fashion. For now, the Kiwi stands at the edge of the F1 abyss, staring at either stardom or oblivion.
