Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has set clear expectations for Liam Lawson as the Kiwi steps up to the senior team alongside reigning World Champion Max Verstappen for the 2025 F1 season.
After replacing Sergio Perez, who endured a dismal 2024 campaign, Lawson faces the monumental task of competing alongside one of the most dominant drivers in the sport’s history.
According to Marko, Red Bull expects Lawson to be "within three-tenths" of Verstappen’s pace in both qualifying and races as he works to solidify his place in the team.
The second Red Bull seat has proven challenging since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, with Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and Perez all struggling to match Verstappen’s consistently extraordinary performances.
Marko is keen to ensure Lawson enters the team with a pragmatic mindset, advising the 21-year-old to focus on maximizing his own potential rather than attempting to dethrone Verstappen.
“Keeping in mind that within the team he is racing against what is currently the best Formula 1 driver and avoid what many other team-mates of Max have done, where they tried to find remedies in the technology, with some absurd set-ups and strategic plays,” Marko told RTL.
“You have to accept that he is the best and see how far you can get. But you can’t go in there thinking, ‘I am going to beat him.’ That went wrong with all his team-mates.”
The Austrian's cautionary guidance comes from years of watching Verstappen’s teammates falter under the immense pressure of competing against the Dutchman, who is widely regarded as the benchmark in Formula 1 today.
Marko has outlined specific targets for Lawson to achieve as he begins his full-time Red Bull career.
Despite his limited experience – fewer than a dozen Grand Prix starts – the team expects Lawson to contribute meaningfully to their Constructors’ Championship campaign, which faltered in 2024 despite Verstappen’s Drivers’ title.
“He should be within three-tenths of Max in both qualifying and in the race,” Marko explained.
“That should be enough to get points for the Constructors’ Championship. He should also steadily increase his performance – if possible.”
The benchmark of three-tenths, while challenging, reflects Red Bull’s belief in Lawson’s talent and the need for a competitive second driver to avoid a repeat of the team’s disappointing 2024 season.
Perez’s late-season collapse, which saw him score just 21 points in the final 10 races, contributed significantly to Red Bull slipping to third in the Constructors’ standings.
Lawson’s journey to Formula 1 has been marked by patience and perseverance.
While his debut came as a stand-in for an injured Ricciardo in 2023, the 22-year-old has had to wait until 2025 to secure a full-time seat.
Marko acknowledged the frustration the young driver experienced during the prolonged contract negotiations with Perez, which delayed confirmation of his promotion.
©RedBull
“As I said, he is very down-to-earth, and he had to wait a while until he even got into Formula 1,” Marko noted.
“And then, due to the contract situation with Checo Perez, it took a while before we contractually were allowed to say something.
“So, he got a little restless, but let’s put it this way, he was very relieved.”
The delay may have tested Lawson’s patience, but it ultimately positioned him to make the step up at a critical time for Red Bull, who are eager to re-establish dominance in the Constructors’ Championship.
Lawson’s promotion marks a new chapter for Red Bull, with the team betting on the New Zealander’s ability to perform under immense pressure.
While Verstappen remains the undisputed leader of the team, Lawson’s performance within the three-tenths margin could prove pivotal in ensuring Red Bull’s success across the 2025 season.
With a mix of high expectations and a supportive framework, the stage is set for Lawson to begin his journey as Verstappen’s teammate.
Whether he can meet Red Bull’s ambitious projections will be one of the key storylines of the upcoming season.
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