Red Bull Racing has officially announced that Liam Lawson will join Max Verstappen as his teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 22-year-old New Zealander has been promoted from Red Bull’s junior team, RB, to replace Sergio Perez, following the latter’s recent exit.

Lawson expressed his excitement, stating, “To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing Driver is a lifelong dream for me. This is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old.” He thanked the VCARB team for their support and acknowledged the impact of his recent races on his preparation for this significant step in his career.

The young driver, who has participated in 11 Grands Prix so far, stepped in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023 and continued to drive for the team in 2024 after Ricciardo was dropped. Lawson has secured points in three races, with his best qualifying position being fifth at the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Despite being outscored by teammate Yuki Tsunoda, Lawson’s potential has convinced Red Bull boss Christian Horner to hand him this opportunity. As Verstappen’s fifth teammate since he joined Red Bull in 2016, Lawson faces the formidable challenge of competing alongside the reigning World Champion, who has claimed the title in the last four seasons.

Lawson is eager to learn from Verstappen’s expertise as he embarks on his first full F1 season. “I can’t wait to get going!” he added.

“Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top,” Red Bull team principal Horner said.

“His arrival continues the team’s long history of promoting from within the Red Bull Junior Programme and he follows in the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course, Max Verstappen.”

“There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers ever seen in F1, is a daunting task, but I’m sure Liam can rise to that challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year,” he said.

Liam Lawson will make his Red Bull race debut at the 2025 season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16, marking a close-to-home start to his F1 career. Red Bull has not yet announced who will take over Lawson’s seat at RB, but 20-year-old French driver Isack Hadjar, a fellow product of the team’s junior program, is the leading candidate for the position.

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The 2025 Formula 1 grid features an exciting lineup of drivers across various teams. McLaren will field Lando Norris alongside Oscar Piastri, while Ferrari pairs Lewis Hamilton with Charles Leclerc. Red Bull Racing has Max Verstappen teaming up with Liam Lawson, who is stepping up from the junior ranks. Mercedes will see George Russell partnered with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Aston Martin retains Fernando Alonso alongside Lance Stroll. Alpine has Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan, while Haas features Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman. Yuki Tsunoda will drive for RB, with an unconfirmed teammate. Williams has Alex Albon paired with Carlos Sainz, and Sauber rounds out the field with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.