Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner once described being Max Verstappen’s teammate as ‘the hardest job in Formula 1’.
It’s a role that many have tried to fill and for the 2025 F1 season, Red Bull have put their faith in Liam Lawson to try and step up to the task.
That’s not going to be easy for the 22-year-old, who has just 11 Grand Prix starts under his belt.
It’s fewer than the number of F1 races Alex Albon had taken part in when he was promoted mid-season to replace Pierre Gasly.
Both drivers have since gone on to have very successful Formula 1 careers, but neither was capable of matching the ambitions of Christian Horner or Helmut Marko.
Arguably, only two drivers have ever lived up to expectations alongside Max Verstappen: Carlos Sainz at Toro Rosso and Daniel Ricciardo before he moved to Renault.
Red Bull had no interest in re-signing Sainz despite his availability last season after losing his seat at Ferrari, while Ricciardo wasn’t up to the task of replacing Sergio Perez despite the Mexican’s disappointing 2024 campaign.
Horner continued to have doubts over Yuki Tsunoda, meaning Lawson was the only option left when considering who to bring in to line up alongside their four-time world champion.
Speaking to journalist Lissie Mackintosh at the Autosport Awards, Horner was quizzed on Red Bull’s newest driver.
He explained what Red Bull are now doing to best prepare him for his first full-time position on the F1 grid.
Christian Horner explains Liam Lawson’s preparations after Red Bull promotion
Horner was asked how Red Bull are helping Lawson settle in with the pressure of being Verstappen’s teammate an added caveat that other drivers on the grid don’t have to worry about.
The 51-year-old team principal said: “We’ve tried very hard not to put pressure on him so far and he’s basically easing his way in.
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“He’s in the US at the moment, he’ll be back in the simulator again next week, so yeah, he’s doing a decent job and we’re just trying to ease him in quite gently.”
Lawson has since been spotted back at Red Bull’s factory in Milton Keynes and will be using the next few weeks to get to grips with a new car after two seasons of sitting on the sidelines for much of the year watching on from the pit lane.
It’s up to Horner to make sure there isn’t too much pressure on Lawson, although he’ll be required to get closer to Verstappen than Perez did, otherwise, the Red Bull conveyor belt of talent will see the New Zealander return to Racing Bulls and another driver promoted in his place.
Christian Horner explains what he’s learned after missing out on the 2024 Constructors’ Championship
Horner was also asked what he’s learned over the past 12 months in F1 after missing out on the Constructors’ Championship title and turmoil behind the scenes threatening to derail their campaign.
In response, Horner replied: “Well, you’re always learning in life, aren’t you?
“I think, particularly in this sport, it’s so fast moving you just look to apply the lessons that you learn to future years and future cars, that’s certainly what we’ll do this year.”
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Horner’s primary aim this year will be to once again return to the top of the Constructors’ Championship, but if that’s not possible, then keeping Verstappen happy is the key.
The Dutchman could match Michael Schumacher’s record of winning five consecutive titles, and Lawson will have to play a key role if he’s going to achieve that.
The 22-year-old’s job will be to take as many points off Verstappen’s rivals as possible without disrupting his championship challenge.
