Red Bull have announced Liam Lawson will replace Sergio Perez, partnering Max Verstappen as his new teammate in 2025.
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Perez agreed a deal to depart Red Bull on Wednesday, agreeing to part ways after signing a fresh contract until the end of 2026 earlier this year.
His omission ended a four-year stint alongside Verstappen, with New Zealander Lawson the man to take the vacant seat.
“To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me,” Lawson said in a statement.
“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 [Horner, Red Bull boss], Helmut [Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Adviser] 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.”
Lawson joined the Red Bull Junior Programme back in 2019, having made his F1 debut with Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix.
The Kiwi replaced Australian Daniel Ricciardo in that event and it only took one further race for Lawson to secure his first points at the Singapore GP.
Lawson also drove for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls in 2024, with Isack Hadjar the frontrunner to take his spot alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
Perez OUT early in final Red Bull race | 00:59
Red Bull boss Christian Horner was also pleased to unveil Lawson as Red Bull’s next star.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
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