Liam Lawson received the news every driver who has risen through the Red Bull ranks wants to hear during the 2024 Formula 1 winter break.
After a five-race cameo for Alpha Tauri in 2023, Liam Lawson was given the nod to replace Daniel Ricciardo permanently for the final six Grand Prix of the 2024 campaign.
Lawson was up against Yuki Tsunoda at RB – now Racing Bulls – and while he was outscored by the Japanese driver, he certainly held his own.
Although Tsunoda outqualified him during each race they were teammates last year, Lawson came out on top at Austin to score his first points of the season.
Lawson clashed with Sergio Perez in Mexico City, but at least reached the chequered flag that weekend after Tsunoda had two frustrating crashes.
Red Bull handed RB’s most experienced driver a chance in their post-season test, and while Tsunoda impressed Red Bull’s staff, ultimately, team principal Christian Horner decided to go in a different direction.
Max Verstappen will be joined by Lawson in 2025 and the inexperienced Kiwi will hope he can fare better than the likes of Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon after his promotion.
One man who knows all about having a very tough teammate in F1 is Max’s father Jos Verstappen.
Verstappen Snr. was placed up against Michael Schumacher during his time at Benetton which didn’t exactly go to plan.
Hew’s now told Lawson not to make the same mistake he did during their time together in an interview with F1 Insider.
Liam Lawson warned not to try and match Max Verstappen at Red Bull next season
Jos Verstappen was asked what advice he would give Lawson after he replaced Perez and said: “That he shouldn’t make the mistake I made at Benetton in 1994: Wanting to keep up with Max come hell or high water.
“He should do his own thing. Hopefully, he has a similar driving style to Max, then they can improve the car together.”
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The 1994 season Verstappen alludes to saw Formula 1 face tragedy with Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger killed during the San Marino Grand Prix.
Senna was set to go head-to-head with Schumacher and Damon Hill for the Drivers’ Championship before his heartbreak death.
Schumacher came out on top in controversial circumstances after colliding with Hill during the final race in Australia.
However, Verstappen could only finish 10th in the championship that year in the same car as Schumacher, although he did miss six races during the season.
Max Verstappen’s camp is already fans of Liam Lawson
Lawson is set to become the least experienced driver ever to earn a promotion to the senior Red Bull team.
Albon had raced for Toro Rosso on 12 occasions before he replaced Pierre Gasly, while Lawson has just 11 Grand Prix under his belt.
However, Red Bull have already been impressed by the Kiwi’s mindset and believe he has what it takes to deal with the pressure of being Verstappen’s teammate.
READ MORE: Who is Red Bull Racing F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know
Max Verstappen’s camp have already been impressed by Lawson and their support won’t go amiss as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
Beating the Dutchman is going to be an extremely difficult task, but Lawson might take Verstappen’s advice with a pinch of salt if he’s suggesting he shouldn’t even try and beat his son.
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