The new Red Bull driver for the 2025 season is Liam Lawson, who took the place of Sergio 'Checo' Pérez after his departure at the end of the 2024 season. Lawson joins Max Verstappen in the Austrian team with clear expectations and goals, although his recent statements may not please all fans, especially those of the Mexican driver.
In an interview, Lawson expressed his pragmatic approach and lack of immediate expectations for wins. The New Zealander emphasized that his main objective in his first year with Red Bull is to quickly adapt to the car and reach the pace of the more experienced drivers, rather than focusing on winning races right away.
Lawson indicated that he does not expect to start winning races immediately and acknowledged that adapting to new circuits will be an additional challenge. Despite the pressure of competing in a team like Red Bull, he knows that his priority is to learn from his teammate Max Verstappen and not compete directly with him, as that would add unnecessary pressure.
Additionally, Lawson aims to collectively help Red Bull win the Constructors' Championship after the team failed to secure the title last season. The 21-year-old driver highlighted the importance of meeting the team's goals and doing his part to achieve the collective objective.
While Lawson did not directly mention Checo Pérez, his statement was interpreted as a subtle criticism of the Mexican's lack of results in the previous season. Lawson sees his arrival at Red Bull as an opportunity to establish himself as a competitive driver in Formula 1 and prove his worth on the track.
The 2025 season will be crucial for Lawson's future, as he seeks to demonstrate that he is ready to compete at the highest level within the Red Bull setup and contribute to the team's success in the fight for the Constructors' Championship.
