Liam Lawson confirmed for top Red Bull Racing F1 seat in 2025

Liam Lawson has officially signed with Red Bull Racing for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 22-year-old from Pukekohe, New Zealand, will join the team alongside reigning World Champion Max Verstappen, marking a significant milestone in his motorsport career.

Lawson joined the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2019 and after multiple junior formula successes made his Formula One debut with Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, in place of the injured Daniel Ricciardo. He scored his first championship points in just his second outing at the Singapore GP and completed five races in all for the team.

After taking up his Reserve Driver role with both teams at the start of 2024, Liam returned to Grand Prix racing with Racing Bulls with a points-scoring finish at this year’s United States Grand Prix. Now, after completing the season with RB the 22-year-old takes the next step in his career with a seat at Red Bull Racing.

“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,” said Lawson.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far. I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB 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, Helmut and the whole Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. 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!”

Lawson’s appointment as a Red Bull Racing driver makes him the first New Zealander to secure a full-time seat in Formula 1 since Brendon Hartley drove for Toro Rosso in 2018. This achievement is a significant moment for New Zealand motorsport, providing inspiration for future generations of drivers.

“Liam Lawson’s signing with Red Bull Racing highlights the incredible talent coming out of New Zealand,” commented MotorSport New Zealand President, Deborah Day.

“His dedication and success are a testament to the pathways available to Kiwi drivers aiming for the international stage, as well as the wonderful sponsors and backers at home who help make these achievements a reality. This is a proud moment for our motorsport community.”

Lawson graduated from KartSport in New Zealand as a 13-year-old after winning the SpeedSport Scholarship, providing him with a season in the NZ Formula First Championship where he won the Rookie of the Year title. Following that, Lawson dominated the 2016-17 NZ Formula Ford Championship, winning 14/15 races on his way to the title. A move abroad in 2017 and 2018 saw Lawson compete in the Australian and German Formula 4 Championships, respectively. 2019 was a breakout year for Lawson, winning the then Toyota Racing Series at home as well as the New Zealand Grand Prix and ultimately attracting interest from the Red Bull Junior team.