Liam Lawson is preparing for his first full season in Formula 1, replacing Sergio Perez in the Red Bull team.
The Kiwi has relatively little experience in Formula 1, as Lawson has driven in just 11 races for RB over the past couple of years.
He is partnering four-time world champion Max Verstappen, but Red Bull team principal Christain Horner feels Lawson is robust enough to fight his teammate.
It will be a significant challenge as Lawson has no experience racing for victories or managing the pressure of driving for a front-running team in F1.
Lawson is getting a chance after Perez was on a downward spiral in 2024, and he only stood on the podium four times this year.
The Kiwi has been very tough in Formula 1, and his strong personality is a key reason why he has been given one of the most difficult drives in the sport.
Liam Lawson’s style got him to Red Bull as it is a quality Christian Horner looks for
The front of the field in Formula 1 has almost no margin for error, with multiple world champions Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, among others, fighting for wins.
Verstappen, in particular, is brutal in wheel-to-wheel combat, making him very difficult to overtake, laying the foundations for his four championships.
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Being uncompromising on the circuit is very important, as the margins among the 20 cars on the grid are so fine.
Horner hinted via the Formula 1 website at wanting a strong driver to partner Verstappen: “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.”
SoyMotor journalist Jorge Iglesias explained that Horner was very clear, and one incident helped Lawson get the seat over Yuki Tsunoda.
He said: “I think that fighting with everyone is what gives Liam Lawson the seat because of Christian Horner’s words. It is what Liam Lawson has shown of not being afraid of anyone what secures him the seat. He fought with Fernando Alonso. Literally, he had a fight with Fernando Alonso in his first race when he arrived in 2024.”
Lawson will have to hit the ground running and score consistently which will aid the team’s push to win the Comstructors’ Championship. This competitive streak should help, as he won’t be easy to deal with on the circuit.
Liam Lawson will need to keep the aggression under control at Red Bull
Double world champion Fernando Alonso was frustrated with Lawson over the United States Grand Prix weekend after the pair had a tussle in the Sprint.
Incidents like this with more experienced drivers can help Red Bull’s new signing gain respect at the front as he races very successful talent.
However, they can’t happen too often next season and over his Red Bull career, as these episodes can be a distraction if the media focuses on them.
Lawson is a risky signing for Red Bull after racing in just 11 events, but he has matched Tsunoda, although the Japanese driver has been at the highest level since 2021.
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