Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson: A new era at Red Bull Racing

The start of the 2025 Formula 1 season draws near, and eight out of 10 teams will begin with new driver pairings.

Among the most anticipated pairings of the 2025 season is that of Red Bull.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo delves into the complexities and intriguing nature of yet another new Red Bull pairing.

The Dutchman’s fifth Red Bull teammate

As Red Bull Racing embarks on the 2025 F1 season, all eyes are on the team’s refreshed driver line-up.

With Liam Lawson stepping into the role of Max Verstappen’s team-mate, the dynamic between the two drivers could redefine the team’s trajectory.

Lawson replaces Sergio Perez, whose four-year stint ended after a season of underwhelming performances. His replacement brings a youthful energy and ambition to the partnership.

The transition marks a significant shift for Red Bull.

Perez, while a loyal and steady team-mate, never posed a real challenge to Verstappen, who dominated the partnership with four consecutive championship titles.

Lawson, on the other hand, represents a stark contrast: younger, faster, and hungrier for success. But the 22-year-old Kiwi faces the daunting task of racing alongside a driver widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history.

The Verstappen factor

Verstappen, now a four-time world champion, is clear about his priorities: the car’s performance outweighs the importance of who occupies the second seat. “If we can get the car back to the front, the name in the other cockpit won’t matter,” Verstappen stated.

Following a challenging 2024 season where Red Bull slipped behind McLaren and Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings, Verstappen emphasised the need to rectify the car’s weaknesses to regain dominance.

Despite his focus on the car, Verstappen’s presence sets a high bar for Lawson. Previous team-mates, including Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, and Perez, struggled to match the Dutchman’s pace and were eventually replaced.

Red Bull has made it clear that Lawson’s primary role is to contribute to the team’s overall points tally rather than directly challenge Verstappen.

Lawson’s uphill battle

Lawson earned his promotion after a series of impressive performances during substitute appearances in 2024. His ability to deliver under pressure convinced Red Bull to offer him a seat, but the challenge ahead is immense.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has set the expectation that Lawson should be within three-tenths of Verstappen in both qualifying and races - a benchmark none of Verstappen’s previous team-mates consistently achieved.

Marko also cautioned Lawson against trying to outpace Verstappen outright, a mistake that has derailed many of Verstappen’s former team-mates. Instead, the Kiwi has been advised to focus on learning and contributing to the team’s success while carving out his own identity.

“I don’t expect to go in and beat Max,” Lawson acknowledged. “But I have confidence in my abilities. If you think someone else has the upper hand, you might as well not show up. As drivers, we have to have that mentality.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: F1 2025 driver line-up preview: Charles Leclerc to outshine Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

Lessons from the past

Jos Verstappen, Max’s father and a former F1 driver, shared some advice for Lawson.

Drawing on his own experience as Michael Schumacher’s teammate at Benetton in 1994, Jos warned Lawson not to fall into the trap of overreaching. “My advice is that he should not make the mistake I made…try to keep up with Max at all costs. Lawson should do his own thing.”

The 2025 season opener in Melbourne will be a crucial test for Lawson as he navigates the intense pressure of partnering a four-time World Champion while adapting to the demands of a top-tier F1 team.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner expressed confidence in Lawson’s potential, describing him as a “real racer” capable of rising to the challenge.

The road ahead

While Lawson’s future at Red Bull remains uncertain, his arrival marks a fresh chapter for the team.

Can he strike the right balance between supporting Verstappen and proving his worth? And will Red Bull’s focus on car development provide the platform for both drivers to succeed?

One thing is clear: the Verstappen-Lawson partnership will be closely watched as the 2025 season unfolds.

READ NEXT: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc: A new dynamic for Ferrari’s championship aspirations