Liam Lawson Reflects on Sebastian Vettel ‘Rivalry’ in Red Bull Journey and Maintains Positive Outlook Despite Challenges

  Liam Lawson Reflects on Sebastian Vettel ‘Rivalry’ in Red Bull Journey and Maintains Positive Outlook Despite Challenges

Red Bull’s 2025 F1 driver Liam Lawson has shed light on the virtual ‘rivalry’ he shared with Sebastian Vettel during his youth, which fueled his passion for motorsport and ultimately led him to a coveted seat in the team.

Lawson, the young talent from New Zealand, is set to embark on his first full F1 season in 2025 after being announced as Sergio Perez’s successor at Red Bull. The 22-year-old’s promotion comes after an impressive run of just 11 races with Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri/VCARB) across 2023 and 2024. He now steps into the role alongside the reigning four-time World Champion Max Verstappen.

In a nostalgic recount, Lawson revealed how his interest in F1 blossomed through the 2010 official F1 video game, where he often played as Mark Webber to compete against Vettel. “The first Formula 1 game I had was F1 2010. I was eight. That year, Sebastian Vettel won his first championship,” Lawson shared. “I always played as Mark Webber, so that I would go up against Vettel — I would always drive the Red Bull.”

Lawson’s swift rise to Red Bull’s main team has drawn comparisons to predecessors like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, who struggled to match Verstappen’s pace. However, Lawson remains undeterred, embracing the challenge of racing alongside Verstappen. “For me, it’s more the opportunity that’s there to learn from the best,” he explained. “To be able to go in against the guy who’s won four world championships and to learn from him, that’s what excites me about this opportunity.”

Despite being critical of his own performance, Lawson maintains a positive outlook, recognizing the immense learning potential in being part of a championship-winning team. “I know Max is the fastest guy on the grid right now. My focus is on improving and contributing to the team.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner emphasized Lawson’s role in supporting Verstappen, stating, “Liam is here to provide strength in depth for the team. We need to focus on Max winning, but Liam’s contribution from an engineering and tactical perspective is invaluable.”

As Lawson prepares for the intense competition in the 2025 season, he is determined to rise to the occasion, leveraging the wealth of experience around him to carve out his path in Formula 1.