New Zealand’s Liam Lawson has been confirmed as Oracle Red Bull Racing’s newest Formula One driver for the 2025 season, the team announced today.
The 22-year-old will partner four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, marking a significant elevation within the Red Bull racing system. Speculation of his promotion to Red Bull’s top team went into overdrive this morning following the departure of the underperforming Sergio Perez.
Lawson, who joined the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2019, made his first appearance in Formula One with Scuderia AlphaTauri during the 2023 season, substituting for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at the Dutch Grand Prix. He secured his first championship points just one race later in Singapore.
After completing five races for AlphaTauri, Lawson returned as a reserve driver in 2024 before stepping into a race seat for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) this year. Notably, he achieved a points-scoring finish at the United States Grand Prix, demonstrating both pace and consistency.
Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner cited Lawson’s ability to deliver under pressure and his readiness to “mix it with the best” as key factors in the decision. Horner emphasised that Lawson continues the team’s tradition of promoting drivers from its Junior Programme, following in the footsteps of notable names like Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen himself.
Lawson described the appointment as the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. “This is something I’ve worked towards since I was eight years old,” he said. He credited VCARB’s support in preparing him for the jump to Red Bull’s top-tier outfit and acknowledged the challenge of racing alongside a multiple World Champion. “I have no doubt I’ll learn from Max’s expertise,” Lawson added.
Red Bull Racing’s Statement:
Liam Lawson Joins Max Verstappen for 2025
Oracle Red Bull Racing is delighted to confirm Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s partner for the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, completing its driver roster.
Oracle Red Bull Racing is pleased to announce that Liam Lawson will complete the Team’s driver line-up for the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, moving across from Visa Cash App RB to partner four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. New Zealand native Liam joined the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2019 and, after multiple junior formula successes, made his Formula One debut with Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix in place of the injured Daniel Ricciardo. He scored his first championship points in just his second outing at the Singapore GP and completed five races in all for the team. After taking up his Reserve Driver role with both teams at the start of 2024, Liam returned to Grand Prix racing with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls with a points-scoring finish at this year’s United States Grand Prix. Now, after completing the season with VCARB, the 22-year-old takes the next step in his career with a seat at Oracle Red Bull Racing.
Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Liam Lawson said: “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. It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB for their support; the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step. I also want to thank Christian, Helmut and the whole Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I am super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a World Champion. I have no doubt I will learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get going!”
Christian Horner, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO, said: “I’m delighted to announce that Liam Lawson will join the Team in 2025. 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. 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.”
