Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing has announced Liam Lawson as the replacement for Sergio Perez as its second driver for the upcoming F1.
Lawson, who hails from New Zealand, began his F1 career by joining the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2019. He made his debut with Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, stepping in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo.
“Being named an Oracle Red Bull Racing Driver is a dream come true for me; it’s something I have aspired to achieve since I was eight years old. The journey to this point has been incredible. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone at VCARB for their support—my recent six races have been crucial for my preparation for this next chapter,” Lawson expressed after being confirmed as the teammate of reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen.
“I’m also grateful to Christian [Horner], Helmut [Marko], and the entire Red Bull family for their faith in me and for providing this opportunity. I am thrilled to work with Max and to learn from a World Champion; I have no doubt I’ll benefit from his experience. I can’t wait to get started,” Lawson added.
At just 22 years old, Lawson earned his first championship points in only his second race at the Singapore Grand Prix. He returned to Grand Prix racing with Visa Cash App Racing Bull in 2024, achieving a points-scoring finish at this year’s United States Grand Prix.
Lawson made his F2 debut in 2020 after spending two years in F3 with HiTech, where he secured a win on his debut and ended the season with one victory and three podium finishes. In his second season, he improved significantly, finishing third in the driver’s championship with 149 points, including four wins and six additional podiums.