Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson has quickly become one of the most intriguing rising talents in Formula 1, thanks to his rare ability to deliver under pressure especially when the unexpected strikes. A proven race winner across nearly every junior category and a standout in both F3 and F2, the New Zealander patiently waited for his chance as Red Bull’s reserve driver until fate opened the door.

That opportunity arrived at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, when Daniel Ricciardo suffered a hand injury during practice. Lawson who grew up inspired by Lightning McQueen from Cars stepped in and faced a rain-soaked Zandvoort debut with remarkable calm and maturity.

But it was under the intense humidity of Singapore that Lawson truly made waves. On one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, the rookie shocked the paddock by outqualifying world champion Max Verstappen to reach Q3 and then scoring his first championship points. Yet, just before that impressive qualifying run, Red Bull had informed him that there would be no seat available for him in 2024, with the RB team set to continue with the pairing of Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda.

Still, Lawson was no stranger to setbacks or to turning them into opportunities. His performances continued to impress Red Bull’s top management, and another twist of fate emerged once again in Singapore, when Ricciardo was sidelined and Lawson was called back. This time, Red Bull was focused on evaluating the “bigger picture” for their 2025 driver lineup.

The new chance proved pivotal. Lawson not only strengthened his case but ultimately earned the promotion he had long been chasing. He was officially announced as Max Verstappen’s new Red Bull teammate for 2025, replacing Sergio Pérez.

However, the whirlwind of his career didn’t stop there. After just two challenging Grands Prix with the senior team, Lawson found himself returning to Racing Bulls for the remainder of the season. As always, he remains poised and ready waiting for the next opportunity, which, given his speed and resilience, feels less like a matter of “if” and more like “when.”