Liam Lawson is the chosen one by Red Bull to replace Sergio Perez

Credit: Mark Thompson

New Zealand racing driver Liam Lawson has been signed by Red Bull Racing to replace Sergio Perez, the team announced on Thursday morning.

Lawson who has risen through the junior ranks in the Red Bull driver Academy and has already raced in Formula 1 numerous times, participating in multiple Grand Prix in the 2023 and 2024 FIA Formula One World Championships.

The 22-year old will come into the Red Bull Racing team to partner Max Verstappen after spending his previous races at Visa Cash App RB, the same team that re-branded from AlphaTauri, which was the team's name in 2023. It's a team that Red bull have quite the affiliation with and it is often referred to as Red Bull's sister team.

Lawson was announced to replace veteran Sergio Perez after the Mexican had spent four years with the team and his contract was terminated with both agreeing to part ways on Wednesday evening.

It would be the following morning when Formula One and Red Bull media would announce the signing of Lawson to partner Max Verstappen, with a contract that has him pencilled in that seat for the 2025 season as he looks to establish himself in one of the championship's biggest teams.

Speaking to Red Bull media on signing with the team, Lawson said: "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.

"I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB [Visa RB] 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], Helmut [Marko], and the whole Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity."

Lawson concluded by saying: "I am super excited to be working alongside Max [Verstappen] and learn from a World Champion, I have no doubt I will learn from his expertise. I can't wait to get going."

Team Principal of Red Bull Racing Christian Horner said that he was "delighted" to announce his signing and that his performances have "demonstrated that he's not only capable of delivering strong results but also he's a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top."

Lawson will become the first driver from Zealand to have a full time seat on the Formula One grid since 2018 when Brendan Hartley raced for Toro Rosso, which is now the Visa RB team.

Many have been wondering though out of Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, the two main contenders to replace Perez, was he the right choice? Red Bull certainly think so and that's whose decision matters the most. Tsunoda has far more experience but ultimately Red Bull seem to see more in Lawson and see him as their pick for 2025.

This still leaves a seat at Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) and Red Bull Academy driver Isack Hadjar looks favourite for that seat after the Frenchman finished runner up in the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship behind Gabriel Bortoleto, who has a seat at Kick Sauber.

Lawson will make his Red Bull racing debut at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia for the opening round of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Brandon Whiteside
Writer & X Contributor - F1 Journal