New Red Bull Racing driver Liam Lawson has already been the subject of much debate ahead of the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
This isn’t because anybody questions why Red Bull chose to sign Liam Lawson for the upcoming campaign, but rather whether or not he’s technically a rookie this year.
The 2025 F1 grid looks very different this year compared to 12 months ago with only two teams retaining their drivers from the start of last season.
While some drivers – such as Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes to Ferrari), Carlos Sainz (Ferrari to Williams) and Nico Hulkenberg (Haas to Sauber) – have switched teams, several youngsters have been called up but have varying levels of experience.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar will make their debuts at the Australian Grand Prix, while Jack Doohan already has one race under his belt.
Oliver Bearman is upset that’s he’s not considered a rookie after taking part in three Grand Prix last year, while Lawson has already completed 11 events in his career.
Many people still consider Lawson a rookie having not completed a full season, but in the eyes of the FIA, he’s now an experienced driver and Red Bull will be expecting him to perform that way.
The New Zealander was chosen over RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda for the promotion despite having vastly more experience.
F1 journalist and technical expert Craig Scarborough was speaking on the Inside Line Podcast and shared why he believes Lawson got the nod over Tsunoda and why it might concern Max Verstappen’s Red Bull future.
Liam Lawson’s Red Bull promotion could be linked to potential Max Verstappen exit
Scarborough was asked about Red Bull’s driver line-up and explained: “The Lawson question is going to be a massive one.
“Again, what are the management doing, how are they planning the season, are they saying to Liam, ‘Look, we’re expecting Max to leave at the end of the year, you be number two this year and you’re in the hot seat for next year’.
“Which for me is probably the reason that they didn’t choose Yuki.
“I think Yuki if they were looking for a one-year, maybe two-year back-up driver for Verstappen, I think Yuki would have been more in the mould that we’ve seen where it’s very much a one and a two driver.
READ MORE: Who is Red Bull Racing F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know
“I think a lot of fans don’t like that, but equally I think well if I’m putting in $150m [£117m] to run a team for a year, I want the world championship for the drivers, then I’m going to have a number two driver!
“I don’t think Yuki had that added shelf life and he came on quite aggressively early and I think he’s flattened out in his performance.
“I think he’s a great driver, I don’t think he’s a great, great driver, he’s not a future world champion or potentially even race winner and I think they’ve chosen Liam.
“But Liam can be a hot head, we saw that very much last year. I don’t think Red Bull are going to want that with him and Max.”
Red Bull approaching tipping point ahead of Formula 1’s new regulations
Verstappen’s contract runs until the end of the 2028 season, but there are break clauses available to both parties.
While it’s very hard to see a situation where Red Bull want to dismiss their number one driver, Verstappen will consider his options if the team aren’t up to scratch when F1’s new regulations are introduced next year.
Red Bull are going through plenty of changes with Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley having already departed the team and Will Courtenay leaving at the end of the year.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
While Martin Brundle has been impressed by Red Bull Powertrains, they face a mammoth task of matching the performance of Mercedes and Ferrari who have been producing engines for decades.
All of these factors could see Verstappen decide to move on if he wants to continue challenging for titles in F1.
Ralf Schumacher has predicted where Verstappen could end up if he leaves Red Bull, but he would be wise to be patient and see what the pecking order looks like after the first year of F1’s new ruleset.
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