Liam Lawson says there’s one simple reason why Sergio Perez and Alex Albon struggled against Max Verstappen

Liam Lawson will have the mammoth task of going up against Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2025.

The Kiwi driver will be promoted from Visa Cash App RB to replace Sergio Perez, who has confirmed his exit from Red Bull after four seasons with the team.

Lawson and his RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda were the frontrunners for the vacant seat at the Milton Keynes-based outfit, with the former getting the nod to join Red Bull.

Tsunoda has more experience than Lawson in F1, having been established at RB since 2021 and outperformed the Kiwi driver and Daniel Ricciardo in 2024. After missing out on the Red Bull seat, Christian Horner says Tsunoda is ‘more motivated’ to prove him wrong and try and keep his career with the team alive.

He may have only competed in 11 Grand Prix in his career so far but Horner thinks Lawson demonstrated ‘the right mindset’ in that short space of time – which is why the 22-year-old was selected to race for Red Bull next season.

And in 2025, he will be looking to compete against his four-time champion teammate Verstappen – something that his predecessors have failed to do.

Liam Lawson pinpoints Max Verstappen being ‘the best in the world’ as the reason why his teammates struggle

Since 2018, no driver that has been in the second Red Bull seat has come close to challenging the Dutchman. Ricciardo left the team in 2019 for Renault after he fell behind Verstappen, and his replacement Pierre Gasly lasted just 12 races that season as he only managed a best finish of fifth in the RB15.

Alex Albon was promoted from Toro Rosso – now RB – midway through 2019 to replace Gasly, but he fared no better as he managed two podium finishes before being dropped by Red Bull entirely at the end of 2020.

Perez replaced Albon in 2021 and in his four seasons with the team, he grabbed just five wins as Verstappen completely dominated the Mexican. The 34-year-old endured his worst season with Red Bull this season as he finished eighth in the standings having scored 49 points in the last 18 Grand Prix.

A key reason for Perez’s struggles was his difficulties adapting to the car, and Lawson admitted that the Red Bull does take confidence to drive having done so as their reserve driver. But the Kiwi driver stated that Verstappen is ‘simply the best in the world’ – and that is why his previous teammates have struggled against him.

“I’ve driven the car over the last couple of years and done tests and I can say the car is very aggressive and it takes a lot of confidence to drive it, honestly,” he said via Sky Sports F1.

“And I think that’s where, Max is obviously extremely confident as a driver. But the main thing is he’s the best in the world right now, so to go up against the best guy is always going to be very, very tough.

“And ultimately that’s probably the main reason why anybody has struggled so far to go up against him.”

Will Liam Lawson be the next to struggle next to Max Verstappen?

As aforementioned, Lawson has a huge task ahead of him in 2025 competing against Verstappen – especially given that he is still inexperienced in F1 with next season being his first full-time season.

However, the 22-year-old has clearly shown his potential in that time with his pace over one lap and his aggressive driving style in races – making him an exciting person to partner Verstappen in equal machinery.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull Racing F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

Lawson is not expecting to fight for the world championship next year, but he is looking to aid Red Bull in their quest to reclaim the Constructors’ Championship after falling behind in 2024.

Lawson admitted he will call Albon for advice on how to deal with the pressure of racing for Red Bull, which would put him in good stead to battle at the front of the field next season.