‘Daunting task’: Red Bull decision made over vacant F1 seat for 2025

Red Bull Racing has finally made a call over who will replace Sergio Perez and partner Max Verstappen in the 2025 F1 season.

Red Bull has officially made a call over who will partner Max Verstappen in the top Formula 1 team for the 2025 season.

Mexican Sergio Perez had been under extreme pressure to retain the No. 2 spot behind the four-time world champion after a dismal campaign this year.

Despite being handed an extension through 2026 earlier this season, Perez was officially released by the team this week.

Every practice, qualifying session & race LIVE of the Repco Supercars Championship, Formula One™ and MotoGP. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

There has been repeated speculation over who could replace the man known as “Checo” in the hot seat and the call has now been made, with Liam Lawson getting the nod over VCARB teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

The 22-year-old New Zealander replaced Daniel Ricciardo for the final six races of the 2024 season and did enough to earn the huge promotion that puts him under a whole new level of pressure for next season and beyond.

Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda. Photos: Getty Images

Team principal Christian Horner confirmed the news in a statement released on Thursday.

“Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results, but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top,” Horner said.

“His arrival continues the Team’s long history of promoting from within the Red Bull Junior Programme and he follows in the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and of course, Max Verstappen.

“There’s no doubt that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of the greatest drivers ever seen in F1, is a daunting task.

“But I’m sure Liam can rise to that challenge and deliver some outstanding results for us next year.”

The decision to put Lawson ahead of Tsunoda has caused plenty of surprise and outrage.

Tsunoda was faster than Lawson during the pre-season testing event where both drivers were given their first chances to drive the Red Bull car.

Max Verstappen (right) will have a Kiwi by his side for 2025. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Since Lawson replaced Ricciardo earlier this year, Tsunoda picked up more championship points and had a superior record over Lawson in head-to-head qualifying results.

Tsunoda said after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he would be surprised if Lawson was given the promotion.

“If they choose Liam, that’d be weird,” he said.

“Liam did a really good job when he drove in the team, but I think I did more than that.”

That is the path they have now chosen to take, drawing a highly mixed response on social media.

This might be the last time we see these two smiling together. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

“Lawson didn’t prove himself better than Yuki,” was one fan’s reaction on X.

“At first it feels wrong, but we will see, let’s hope he’s performing how he should,” wrote another.

“Lawson loses 6-0 to Yuki and that’s good enough to win the seat over him lmao, Lawson needs experience not to be thrown in at the deep end like this,” offered another.

“Yuki deserved it more, I feel for him,” stated a fourth.

“Absolute joke. Yuki deserved that seat,” declared another.

Originally published as ‘Daunting task’: Red Bull decision made over vacant F1 seat for 2025