Liam Lawson must embrace Verstappen’s dominance to succeed at Red Bull, focusing on consistency and growth in his debut season with the team.
Lawson is stepping into the 2025 season with one key reality in mind—his Red Bull teammate, Max Verstappen, is “unbeatable.”
That’s the blunt advice from Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko after the team finally parted ways with Sergio Perez, whose inconsistent performances in 2024 cost them the constructors’ title. At just 23, Lawson is now tasked with proving himself in one of the most high-pressure seats in Formula 1.
Marko didn’t shy away from the financial stakes behind Red Bull’s expectations.
“Our employees get bonuses based on our position in the constructors’ championship,” he explained ahead of the season opener in Australia. “The numbers are significant, and finishing only third behind McLaren and Ferrari last year was a real disappointment for the team.”
But within Red Bull, there’s no doubt about who the priority is.
“The drivers’ title!” Marko responded when asked what matters most to the team. “Red Bull isn’t a car manufacturer. For us, it’s all about the driver—the athlete.”
Lawson’s Mission: Close the Gap, Score Points
Marko has clear expectations for Lawson: stay within “a few tenths” of Verstappen and consistently score points.
The Austrian also acknowledges the fresh energy Lawson has brought to the team.
“The atmosphere is completely different now. There’s a new enthusiasm. Liam is young and full of motivation.”
But that motivation needs to be kept in check.
“He has to find his own way of working and not get caught up in thinking, ‘How do I beat Max?’ That was the mistake of those before him—they all failed.”
According to Marko, those who tried to challenge Verstappen struggled to accept reality.
“They couldn’t handle going up against someone unbeatable. Right now, Max is simply untouchable, and I think that will remain the case for a while.”
Why Red Bull Chose Lawson Over Tsunoda
Marko believes Lawson has the right mentality to succeed in the Red Bull garage.
“Liam is very down-to-earth. That’s a trait we often see in New Zealanders, and it’s one of the reasons we chose him over Yuki Tsunoda.”
For Lawson, the message is clear: focus on delivering results, not chasing the impossible.
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Lawson’s Red Bull Reality: Verstappen is Unbeatable Lawson’s Red Bull Reality: Verstappen is Unbeatable
