Liam Lawson confirmed by Red Bull Racing for 2025 Formula 1 season

Red Bull have confirmed that Liam Lawson will step up to the team and partner Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The New Zealand driver stepped up mid-way through the 2024 campaign with RB, driving alongside Yuki Tsunoda from the United States Grand Prix onwards, earning two points scoring finishes before the end of the year.

Prior to racing for RB, Lawson graduated from F2 in 2023 after finishing third in the Championship that season. He served as the RB Reserve Driver, and later gained F1 experience in place of Daniel Ricciardo during the 2023 F1 season.

Lawson said that it was a dream come true to be joining the Red Bull team in Formula 1.

“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!”

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner added: “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.”