Liam Lawson endured a turbulent 2025 campaign that tested his resilience at the highest level of Formula 1. His season began with huge promise but quickly became complicated after an early setback at Red Bull.
The New Zealander was promoted to the senior Red Bull team as Max Verstappen’s teammate following Sergio Perez’s exit at the end of 2024. It marked the fulfilment of a long-held ambition for the 23-year-old, who finally secured a seat with the championship-winning outfit.
However, Lawson’s time at Red Bull was short-lived. After just two race weekends, the team opted to demote him, having grown frustrated with his difficulty adapting to the demanding RB21 car.
Struggling to extract performance comparable to Verstappen, Lawson found himself under intense pressure, with engineers and management unconvinced he could bridge the gap quickly enough. His early data alongside the world champion reportedly raised concerns within the Red Bull camp.
Despite the setback, Lawson regrouped after moving to Racing Bulls, where he began to rediscover his confidence and form. The latter part of the season showed signs of growth, hinting that the difficult Red Bull stint may yet prove a valuable learning experience.
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