Red Bull expects Liam Lawson to closely match Max Verstappen's performance within three-tenths of a second as he joins the senior team in 2025, replacing Sergio Perez.

Verstappen has developed a reputation as the nightmare F1 team-mate in recent years. After matching up well against respected colleagues Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo during the early stages of his glittering F1 career, the Dutchman became the top dog at Red Bull.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has explained why the team opted against promoting Yuki Tsunoda, despite him being “faster” than Liam Lawson. Lawson got the nod over Tsunoda to replace the axed Sergio Perez for 2025, with the 22-year-old New Zealander becoming Max Verstappen ’s fifth teammate since he joined Red Bull in 2016.

Top Formula 1 teams often avoid giving number one status to one of their drivers in public these days, but Red Bull have made it clear Liam Lawson is not to try challenging Max Verstappen

Red Bull expect Liam Lawson to be within three tenths of Max Verstappen throughout the 2025 F1 season. That is according to Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who has laid down the expectations for Lawson before he steps up to the Red Bull senior team in 2025.

Liam Lawson is looking forward to being a teammate of Max Verstappen. Lawson understands that it is quite a challenge, but tells Auto, Motor und Sport that he can actually learn a lot from the four-time world champion.

Lando Norris should’ve stood up for himself instead of falling back in line with Max Verstappen after his clash with the Red Bull driver at last year’s Austrian Grand Prix, says Anthony Davidson. Although F1 2024 initially looked set to be another Max Verstappen romp as he won seven of the opening 10 Grands Prix,