Did Red Bull Miss a Golden Opportunity? A Better Scenario for Liam Lawson Proposed

As the Formula 1 2025 season approaches, Red Bull’s driver lineup decision continues to spark debate. While the team confirmed Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s new teammate, former Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger believes Carlos Sainz would have been the better choice. 

Former Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger has weighed in on Red Bull Racing’s decision for the F1 2025 season, revealing that he would have chosen Carlos Sainz over Liam Lawson as Max Verstappen’s new teammate. While he acknowledges that Lawson is not a “bad” choice, he believes Sainz would have been the stronger competitor alongside Verstappen

Although Red Bull didn’t make a “bad” choice in Lawson, Berger suggests the young New Zealander might have benefited from more experience before stepping into such a high-pressure role.

Liam Lawson vs. Carlos Sainz: Who Was the Better Option?

Red Bull’s decision to part ways with Sergio Perez after a disappointing 2024 season left an open seat alongside three-time World Champion Max Verstappen. Perez struggled significantly in the latter half of the season, scoring just nine points in the final eight races. His inconsistency forced Red Bull’s hand, leading them to seek a fresh partner for Verstappen.

This is where the debate began—should Red Bull have picked a seasoned driver like Carlos Sainz, or was it time to take a risk with rising star Liam Lawson?

Carlos Sainz: A Proven Talent Passed Over?

Sainz, a four-time Grand Prix winner, was in discussions with Red Bull in early 2024 after Ferrari announced his departure to make way for Lewis Hamilton. Even Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, acknowledged that Sainz was a strong contender.

“We are talking to him, he is having his best season in Formula 1. We remember him from his time at Toro Rosso when he drove alongside Max,” Marko stated in an interview.

Despite these discussions, Red Bull chose to extend Sergio Perez’s contract after the Monaco Grand Prix—a move that later proved costly. When they decided to drop Perez after all, they had to pay out his contract, reportedly costing them $78 million. By then, Sainz had already committed to a multi-year deal with Williams, making him unavailable.

Liam Lawson: A Bold but Risky Choice

Red Bull ultimately promoted Liam Lawson, a decision that Gerhard Berger doesn’t outright oppose, but believes could have been handled better.

“Verstappen is the best driver, no question about it. There is probably no one who really gives him steam,” Berger told Auto Motor und Sport. “But I would have taken Carlos Sainz in any case.”

While Berger acknowledges that Lawson is talented, he suggests that a gradual development path—such as spending another season at Toro Rosso (now Racing Bulls)—would have been the ideal move for the young driver.

“Even though I don’t think it’s bad that they put Lawson next to Max, it might have been better for the young guy to gain more experience at Toro Rosso first,” he added.

Why Red Bull Sees Potential in Liam Lawson

Lawson has already demonstrated impressive skill and adaptability. In 2021, he raced in the DTM Championship for Red Bull AF Corse, securing three race wins and finishing as the runner-up in the championship.

Berger, who oversaw the German racing series at the time, recalls recommending Lawson to Helmut Marko based on his outstanding performances.

“I already liked Lawson in the DTM. He was faster and more aggressive than Albon, and Albon is doing a good job at Williams,” Berger explained. “That’s why I recommended Helmut to take a look at him back then.”

Given that Alex Albon, who finished sixth in the same DTM season, has since proven to be a valuable asset at Williams, Red Bull clearly sees Lawson as a promising talent for the future.

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson: A Strong Pairing?

Berger still believes that Red Bull could have formed an even stronger pairing with Verstappen and Sainz, but he remains optimistic about Lawson’s potential.

“I think Verstappen and Lawson can be a good pairing,” Berger concluded.

What This Means for Red Bull in 2025 and Beyond

With Red Bull locking in Liam Lawson, the 2025 F1 season will be a defining moment for the young driver. The pressure will be immense as he partners with one of the most dominant drivers in F1 history.

Key questions remain:

• Will Lawson rise to the occasion and challenge Verstappen?

• Can he outperform expectations and silence doubters?

• Did Red Bull make the right choice in letting Carlos Sainz slip away?

Only time will tell if this gamble pays off. But one thing is certain—all eyes will be on Red Bull in 2025 as they aim to continue their dominance with a refreshed lineup.

Final Thoughts: Did Red Bull Miss a Big Opportunity?

While Liam Lawson’s promotion is exciting, many believe Carlos Sainz would have been the safer, more competitive choice. Red Bull’s decision to extend Sergio Perez’s contract, only to replace him later, also raises questions about their long-term strategy. Lawson’s youthful energy and raw talent could lead to an exciting new chapter for the team.

However, Red Bull is known for taking bold risks, and if Lawson lives up to the hype, this could be yet another masterstroke for the reigning champions.

As the F1 2025 season approaches, fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see if this decision helps Red Bull maintain their dominance—or if they will regret not choosing a more experienced driver. 

Only time will tell whether Red Bull’s decision to choose Lawson over Sainz will pay off, but one thing is certain—the pressure is on for the young driver to prove he belongs at the top level of motorsport. If he can rise to the occasion and challenge Verstappen, Red Bull may have just discovered their next superstar. If not, they may find themselves wondering if they let a golden opportunity slip away.

Will Lawson thrive under the Red Bull pressure, or will Sainz prove to be the one that got away? The F1 2025 season will provide all the answers.