At only 22 years old, this driver defeated two legendary champions and now finds himself in the best Formula 1 car on the grid after just 11 races

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Liam Lawson, the young New Zealand driver for Racing Bulls, made waves in 2024 with his bold driving style and… fiery personality.

Stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo during the final six races of the season, Lawson quickly established himself as a driver to watch, challenging veterans like Fernando Alonso and Sergio Pérez. His remarkable, albeit controversial, performance ultimately earned him a promotion to Red Bull for the 2025 season.

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Explosive debut in F1 against great drivers

When Lawson returned to Formula 1 at the United States Grand Prix, his aggressive on-track style caught many by surprise. Holding his ground against Fernando Alonso, he drew sharp criticism from the Spaniard, who called him an “idiot” over team radio. Just a week later in Mexico, Sergio Pérez expressed his frustration with the young driver, accusing him of lacking humility. Despite these clashes, Liam Lawson avoided penalties from the stewards, as his driving remained within the regulations. When asked if he was trying to prove something against these veterans, Lawson simply replied that he was “not trying to set an example but racing the way he would against anyone.” With such a limited opportunity, every race mattered for his future.

Holding his ground against Fernando Alonso who called him an "idiot" - © Red Bull Content pool
Holding his ground against Fernando Alonso who called him an “idiot” – © Red Bull Content pool

A solid, yet imperfect, performance

Right from his first few races, Liam Lawson showed he deserved a spot on the grid. His ninth-place finish in Austin, earned after intense battles, was a highlight of his season. He described the result as a relief, saying it boosted his confidence for the following races. “It’s tough to know where you stand after a long break. That result gave me the momentum I needed,” he shared. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the rookie. Lawson acknowledged alternating between strong performances and races marred by mistakes. Unfazed by setbacks, he committed to learning from these experiences to improve.

A bright future with Red Bull Racing

Lawson’s performance ultimately convinced Red Bull Racing to promote him as Max Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 Formula 1 season. This decision represents a pivotal moment in Lawson’s career, as he now faces the challenge of competing alongside the two-time world champion in a team at the top of the grid. If Lawson can maintain his aggressive on-track approach while refining his strategic mindset, he could become one of the most exciting drivers to watch in the coming seasons. However, the “cursed” second seat at Red Bull has rarely been kind to its occupants—Gasly, Albon, Ricciardo… and Pérez this year. None of these drivers had a “happy ending” with the team. Fans are hopeful Lawson will finally break the second-driver curse at Red Bull!

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This article delves into Liam Lawson’s meteoric rise in Formula 1, his fearless driving style against some of the sport’s biggest names, and the challenges ahead as he steps into a Red Bull seat. A mix of raw talent and growth that could make him one of F1’s future stars.

Images: © Red Bull Content pool

Adrien Conges
Adrien Conges
I grew up near Magny-Cours, an old Formula 1 circuit in France so I've been passionate about motorsport and automobiles since childhood. I currently live in Bordeaux, France and I'm still waiting for Ferrari to win a 17th F1 constructors' title.

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