Liam Lawson to take Red Bull seat vacated by Sergio Perez

The 22-year-old New Zealander will step up from his spot on sister team RB, having started just 11 Formula One races over the space of two seasons.

Lawson had initially been the reserve driver for RB, prior to Daniel Ricciardo being dropped and replaced by Lawson after the Singapore Grand Prix in the 2024 season.

The news comes just a day after it was announced that Perez would be leaving Red Bull, despite having signed a two-year contract extension in June.

Perez was ousted from the team following a loss of form that saw him go the entire 2024 season without winning a race, ultimately finishing eighth in the Drivers' Championship.

Welcome to the Team, @LiamLawson30 Stepping up to Oracle Red Bull Racing for 2025

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 19, 2024

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner wanted to focus of the positives following Lawson's arrival, with him having been promoted from within.

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 said.

"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.”

Lawson, meanwhile, was full of gratitude for being given the role.

“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. It’s been an incredible journey so far," he said.