Verstappen and Lawson teammates will it work out for Red Bull?
F1 NewsFriday, 31 January 2025 at 08:30
Red Bull has taken a bold step by naming Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s teammate for 2025, overlooking Yuki Tsunoda despite his greater Formula 1 experience.
The decision signals a significant vote of confidence by Red Bull bosses in the 22-year-old Kiwi who has just 11 Grand Prix weekends under his belt as he prepares to step into one of the most demanding seats on the grid alongside four-time F1 World Champion Verstappen.
Sergio Perez’s struggles in 2023 and 2024 ultimately cost Red Bull the Constructors’ Championship, leading to his exit from the team. While Tsunoda, with 87 race starts, might have been the logical choice, Red Bull opted for Lawson to partner 27-year-old Verstappen.
Former F1 driver and pundit Juan Pablo Montoya believes the dynamic between Verstappen and Lawson could prove explosive, particularly if the younger driver refuses to adhere to team orders.
Montoya Verstappen Lawson could be a volatile pairing
Montoya explained: “Max Verstappen gets frustrated and he's still young, I don't think he'll want to quit F1. He's so used to having everything go his way, so when something doesn't, we see a different side to him.
"I'll be very interested to see how Liam Lawson will be as a number two—he'll be in the same car as Verstappen and in the heat of the moment, Lawson can forget team orders.
"Verstappen and Lawson could have a combustible partnership, but it would be good for TV," he pointed out. "Lewis Hamilton was close to a breaking point years ago, he didn't like the races, and he wanted to quit F1, but 15 years later he's still around."
Montoya also suggested that any driver hoping to challenge Verstappen must be willing to take risks, even at the cost of a collision.
He added: “The only way to race against Max Verstappen is to be willing to crash. Verstappen is always willing to crash, and if you crash a couple of times with him, Verstappen will stop colliding and start respecting you.
“Verstappen plays on the fear that he is crazy and will crash if someone gets in his way. I used to be like that—everyone thought I was stupid and crazy, I was okay crashing, but then people got out of my way. Anyone who doesn't get out of Verstappen's way ends up crashing.
"It's all good when you have the better car, but when you don't and you're crashing for the sake of it, you'll start making a bunch of enemies.
"If Verstappen starts struggling and crashes, drivers will question him and then he may need a psychologist to help," Montoya concluded.
Goal for Lawson is to stay within three-tenths of Max in both qualifying and races
Despite the pressure that comes with a Red Bull seat, the team has made it clear that Lawson will not be expected to challenge Verstappen.
Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko outlined the expectations for the young Kiwi, urging him to avoid the mistakes of Verstappen’s previous teammates.
Marko said: “Some of Max’s former teammates made the mistake of attempting to outdo him with technological experiments, absurd set-ups, and strategic games. Lawson should avoid these traps.
“If Lawson can stay within three-tenths of Max in both qualifying and races, he will meet the team’s goals. That should be enough for points in the Constructors’ Championship.
"In addition, Lawson must continue to develop steadily," is the Doctor's advice.
Red Bull’s decision to field Lawson alongside Verstappen is a high-risk, high-reward move. Whether Lawson thrives or falters, Montoya’s prediction of a ‘combustible’ partnership will be one to watch in 2025.
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