Liam Lawson’s 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up as a thrilling odyssey, transforming the Kiwi from a Red Bull reserve into a full-time racer with the team’s senior squad, Oracle Red Bull Racing. After a rollercoaster ascent, the 23-year-old’s promotion—confirmed in December 2024—marks a pivotal chapter, thrusting him alongside Max Verstappen in a lineup that promises fireworks. From warming the bench to battling the sport’s elite, Lawson’s journey is a tale of grit, opportunity, and high-speed ambition. What fueled his rise, and can he shine with the Bulls?
Lawson’s path wasn’t always glamorous. In 2023, he debuted mid-season with AlphaTauri (now RB), subbing for an injured Daniel Ricciardo. His standout P9 in Singapore turned heads, but 2024 saw him relegated to reserve duties, testing tires while Sergio Pérez faltered. Frustration simmered—Lawson told Autosport he “hated watching races”—yet his simulator work and five RB outings (scoring points in Austin) proved his mettle. Red Bull’s Christian Horner, under pressure to refresh the lineup, tapped Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda and Franco Colapinto, citing his “raw hunger” and 68.7% overtaking success rate in junior series.
The 2025 gig, announced after Pérez’s exit, pairs Lawson with Verstappen, F1’s four-time champion. Red Bull’s RB21, boasting a 0.3-second edge in pre-season testing per Racer, gives Lawson a rocketship to chase podiums. His role? Support Verstappen’s title bid while proving he’s no mere wingman. Early projections—based on his 1:20.4 lap at Jeddah’s simulator—suggest top-six potential, with F1 Chronicle tipping him for 80-100 points. Fans on X buzz with #LawsonLad hype, sharing clips of his karting days, but skeptics warn Verstappen’s dominance (1,614 career points) could overshadow him.
Lawson’s ascent owes much to Red Bull’s faith. Helmut Marko, the team’s advisor, mentored him since F2, praising his 2023 Zandvoort drive in torrential rain—a P13 that outshone Pérez. Yet, challenges loom. Lawson’s 17 career F1 starts pale against Verstappen’s 211, and Red Bull’s high-pressure culture chewed up Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly. Crashes, like his 2024 Mexico shunt, hint at overzealousness, with Motorsport.com noting a 12% error rate in high-stakes corners. Rivals like McLaren’s Lando Norris, now a race winner, won’t make life easy.
Off-track, Lawson’s charm—dry humor, Kiwi grit—wins hearts. His X posts, joking about “surviving Max’s debriefs,” endear him to fans, while a $2 million deal cushions the ride. Still, 2025 is make-or-break: outperform Tsunoda’s 46-point 2024 haul, or risk being sidelined again. With Ferrari and McLaren closing the constructors’ gap (Red Bull led by 87 points in ’24), Lawson’s consistency could tip the scales.
From reserve to Red Bull’s front line, Lawson’s 2025 leap is F1’s feel-good story. Can he harness the RB21’s pace and tame the spotlight? The Bulls’ new charger is ready to roar, but the track will decide if his journey ends in glory or lessons learned. For now, Lawson’s living the dream—full throttle ahead.
