Liam Lawson: Crimson Bull confirms New Zealander as teammate of Max Verstappen for 2025 F1 season | F1 Information

Crimson Bull has confirmed Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 System 1 season.

The 22-year-old New Zealander was chosen over his 2024 teammate Yuki Tsunoda to be promoted from Crimson Bull’s junior RB crew to switch Sergio Perez.

Crimson Bull introduced Lawson’s signing on Thursday, lower than 24 hours after Perez’s departure was confirmed.

“Being introduced as an Oracle Crimson Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me, it’s one thing I’ve wished and labored for since I used to be eight years outdated,” Lawson stated.

“It’s been an unbelievable journey to this point. I wish to thank the complete crew at VCARB for his or her help. The final six races have performed an enormous position in making ready me for this subsequent step.

“I’d additionally wish to thank, Christian [Horner]Helmut [Marko] and the entire Crimson Bull household for believing in me and giving me this chance.

“I am very excited to work alongside Max and study from a world champion. I am assured I’ll study from his experience. I can not wait to get began!”

Lawson is ready to contest his first full season of F1 having competed in a complete of 11 Grands Prix, following appearances in every of the final two years.

He changed the injured Daniel Ricciardo for 5 races in 2023, then competed within the remaining six rounds of 2024 after the Australian retired.

Lawson completed within the factors thrice, taking ninth place every time. His greatest qualifying efficiency got here when he completed fifth within the moist at this 12 months’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

He was dominated by Tsunoda whereas they have been teammates, however he confirmed sufficient to persuade Crimson Bull boss Christian Horner that he has larger potential.

Lawson turns into Verstappen’s fifth teammate because the Dutchman joined Crimson Bull in 2016, and faces what many contemplate F1’s hardest problem by going head-to-head with the motive force who has received every of the final 4 world championships .

“Liam can tackle the problem”

Horner, Crimson Bull crew principal, stated: “Liam’s performances throughout his two stints at Visa Money App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not solely able to delivering good outcomes, however can be an actual runner, not afraid to combine with the very best. and emerge victorious.

“His arrival continues the crew’s lengthy historical past of promotion inside the Crimson Bull Junior program and he follows within the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers similar to Sebastian Vettel and naturally Max Verstappen.

“There isn’t any doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of many biggest drivers F1 has ever seen, is a frightening job, however I’m positive Liam can rise to the problem and ship outcomes. distinctive for us subsequent 12 months.”

Crimson Bull have been the dominant winners of the Constructors’ Championship in 2022 and 2023, however completed behind Ferrari and champions McLaren in 2024 as a decline in efficiency noticed them take simply two victories within the remaining 14 Grands Prix of the season .

Lawson’s Crimson Bull racing debut will likely be as near residence as doable below the present F1 calendar, on the 2025 season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16.

Crimson Bull has but to announce who will fill Lawson’s RB seat, however French driver Isack Hadjar, 20, who can be a product of the crew’s junior program, is taken into account the new favourite.

What’s subsequent…

Watch all 24 race weekends of the 2025 System 1 season stay on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Australian GP from March 14-16. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime