Liam Lawson Eyes Data Mission to Learn from Max Verstappen Ahead of F1 2025
As Red Bull Racing heads into a new era with Liam Lawson joining the team for the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Kiwi driver is looking forward to his mission of studying Max Verstappen’s data to enhance his own performance. Despite the monumental task of partnering with the reigning four-time F1 World Champion, Lawson is not daunted; instead, he is eager to learn and grow from Verstappen’s unmatched skill.
Lawson Embraces the Challenge of Learning from Verstappen
After a season filled with uncertainty surrounding Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull, the team opted for an internal promotion, moving Liam Lawson from the junior ranks into a full-time F1 seat. The decision comes after Perez’s significant performance gap from Verstappen, which contributed to Red Bull losing the Constructors’ Championship in F1 2024 to McLaren.
However, Lawson is undeterred by the challenges ahead. Despite his relatively limited experience, having only raced in 11 Grands Prix, Lawson has a clear strategy: learning through data analysis. In a recent interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Lawson revealed his approach to working alongside Max Verstappen: “I’m looking forward to it the most because Max is the best in the world at the moment,” Lawson said. “Every free practice session we do, I will have insight into his data. I will see exactly what he does and how he does it.”
Lawson knows that the gap between himself and Verstappen will be considerable, but he recognizes that working alongside the best is a unique opportunity for his development. With every session, Lawson will be able to study the data and compare it to his own driving, hoping to uncover the secrets behind Verstappen’s dominance.
Red Bull’s Expectations for Lawson in 2025
Red Bull has high expectations for Lawson, despite his limited experience. The team’s senior advisor, Helmut Marko, emphasized that Lawson should aim to be within three-tenths of Verstappen’s lap times in both qualifying and the race. Marko believes this performance gap is crucial for securing points in the Constructors’ Championship, as well as for the ongoing development of the team. “He should be within three-tenths of Max both in qualifying and in the race,” Marko told RTL. “That should be enough to get points for the Constructors’ Championship. He should also steadily increase his performance – if possible.”
The upcoming season will be pivotal for Lawson’s career, with the opportunity to race alongside one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. Lawson’s progression throughout the year will be a significant factor in Red Bull’s future success as they continue their quest for more titles.
Looking to the Future: Red Bull’s Rising Stars
While Liam Lawson takes the step up to Red Bull Racing, another rising star, Isack Hadjar, will join AlphaTauri in 2024, partnering with Yuki Tsunoda. Hadjar, the 2024 F2 Championship runner-up, is seen as one of the brightest talents in the Red Bull Junior Team, and his arrival at AlphaTauri will further bolster Red Bull’s driver pipeline.
The development of Liam Lawson in the senior Red Bull team will be a focal point as the team looks to retain its competitive edge and reclaim the Constructors’ Championship in the future. With Verstappen continuing to set the benchmark, Lawson’s learning curve will be steep but invaluable.
Conclusion: Lawson’s Path to Success
As Liam Lawson gears up for F1 2025, he enters a season filled with pressure but also immense potential. With his focus on analyzing Max Verstappen’s data, Lawson is positioned to learn from the best and make his own mark on the F1 world. If he can match the high expectations and steadily increase his performance, he may play a key role in Red Bull’s future championship ambitions.
