New Zealander Liam Lawson to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull as Sergio Perez leaves F1 team
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Red Bull Racing's Sergio Perez will leave the team with two years left on his contract.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – New Zealander Liam Lawson will race for Red Bull alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen next season after the decision to drop Sergio Perez, the Formula One team confirmed on Dec 19.
The 22-year-old, who has three top-10 finishes in his fledgling career, steps up from sister team Racing Bulls, after the under-pressure Mexican driver departed on Dec 18 following four seasons with the team.
Lawson made his F1 debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix as a five-race stand-in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo and returned for the last six races of the 2024 season when the Australian was dropped.
“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,” he said in a team statement.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at RB for their support, the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step.
“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.”
Team boss Christian Horner said Lawson’s performances had shown he was “a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top”.
“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,” he added.
“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.”
Perez, who won six grands prix across 14 seasons, joined the Milton Keynes outfit in 2021. He helped them claim the constructors’ championship in 2022 and 2023 and was the runner-up in the drivers’ championship in 2023.
Perez signed a new deal with Red Bull until 2026 earlier in the season, but his place as Verstappen’s teammate came under intense scrutiny.
He came eighth in the drivers’ standings as Red Bull surrendered their team title to McLaren with a third-place finish – Ferrari were second.
He was adamant during his difficult period that he would stay with the team for next season but he has now parted ways with Red Bull with immediate effect.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such an amazing team,” the 34-year-old said.
“Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I’ll always cherish the successes we achieved together. It has also been an honour to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success.”
The veteran will not have a seat on the grid next season, but it remains to be seen whether he will sign a deal elsewhere for 2026.
“A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And remember... Never give up,” Perez added.
Verstappen hailed his former teammate on social media.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure driving alongside you”, the Dutchman wrote. “We’ve had some amazing moments together that I’ll always remember. Thank you, Checo!”
“I would like to thank Checo for all he has done for Red Bull Racing over the past four seasons,” Horner said in a statement.
“From the moment he joined in 2021 he proved himself to be an extraordinary team player, helping us to two constructors’ titles and to our first 1-2 finish in the drivers’ championship.
“While Checo will not race for the team next season, he will always be an extremely popular team member and a treasured part of our history.”
Lawson’s former fellow RB driver Yuki Tsunoda of Japan had also been in line for a promotion to the senior team, after the 24-year-old took part in post-season testing in Abu Dhabi for Red Bull. AFP, REUTERS
