Red Bull Racing is inarguably a dream destination for many drivers aspiring to secure a spot on the Formula 1 grid. The latest to relish this golden opportunity is Liam Lawson, who will replace Sergio Perez in 2025 and beyond.
Indeed, the odds were hardly in favour of the Kiwi, especially with a driver like Yuki Tsunoda consistently delivering solid performances and openly revealing his desire to race alongside Max Verstappen. The entire motorsport fraternity was anticipating the Perez-Tsunoda swap, only for reality to induce a spicy twist to the tale.
Following the end of the 2024 season, Christian Horner and Co. decided against promoting the Japanese driver and instead, offered the million-dollar seat to Lawson. However, truth be told, Red Bull’s choice doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise, considering Lawson’s incredible racing profile. Here’s everything you need to know about the newborn Red Bull driver.
Where is Liam Lawson from?
Lawson was born to Jared and Kristy Lawson on February 11, 2002, in a city called Hastings in New Zealand. However, he was raised in the town of Pukekohe in Auckland. Interestingly enough, Lawson’s motorsport journey began in this very town which coincidentally housed a grade 3 motorsport circuit called Pukekohe Park Raceway.
It wasn’t until 2009 that Lawson finally found himself behind the wheel of a kart, thanks to his family’s biggest sacrifice. In an interview, Lawson revealed that his family had to lose their only house to fund his racing career.
He competed in numerous competitions and championships across New Zealand, and five years later, Lawson proved his potential as a racing driver with two titles in 2014. From thereon, Lawson embraced rapid growth in his racing career and began competing in single-seaters as early as 2015.
Lawson’s performance in junior racing categories
Only a year after making his debut in single-seater racing, Lawson won his first championship in the NZ F1600 Championship Series in 2017. Lawson was also the runner-up in the 2017 Australian F4 Championship. Later in 2018, the Kiwi secured P2 in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship and FIA Formula 3 rewarded him with a place on the grid in 2019.
Although Lawson failed to make a mark in his debut F3 campaign, he returned stronger in 2020, amassing 143 points, including 3 race wins and 6 podiums. Simultaneously, Lawson competed in the Toyota Racing Series for the M2 Competition outfit and also won the championship in 2019.
In 2022, Lawson was promoted to Formula 2, where a similar script followed. Following a slow start, Lawson rose to the challenge in 2023, finishing his second F2 season in P3, only behind the now-Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich and the now-IndyCar driver Theo Pouchaire.
Daniel Ricciardo introduces Liam Lawson to Formula 1
Daniel Ricciardo may have a few regrets looking back at his Formula 1 career. But, the one that most likely stands out is his crash during the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix weekend. Ricciardo ended up in a heavy crash triggered by Oscar Piastri during free practice, resulting in a broken metacarpal bone in the Australian’s left hand.
A nasty moment for our Aussie pair during FP2
Daniel Ricciardo is being checked at the local hospital after the collision#DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/RXdiSBLbtx
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 25, 2023
This led to an unexpected Formula 1 debut for Lawson. Although Lawson only competed in the next five races, his brief stint came back to haunt Ricciardo in 2024. Lawson was constantly in contention for a top-10 finish throughout his stint in 2023 and even managed to secure his first championship point (P9) at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Later in 2024, amid Ricciardo’s steady performance decline, Red Bull decided to replace the senior driver with Lawson ahead of the US Grand Prix. Out of six races, Lawson scored a decent 4 points, proving himself a viable candidate to challenge the defending world champion, Verstappen, in 2025.
