Lawson reveals early Red Bull F1 advantage

Liam Lawson has highlighted he does not feel like a newcomer to the Red Bull team ahead of his debut season with the squad.

Lawson has been promoted to Red Bull to race alongside Max Verstappen following the exit of Sergio Perez at the end of 2024.

The New Zealander's call-up comes despite having just 11 grand prix starts to his name, all of which came at the sister Racing Bulls squad.

However, Lawson spent a handful of seasons within Red Bull as a reserve driver - meaning he is no stranger to its operations.

“As a reserve I’ve actually spent more time with Red Bull than with Racing Bulls technically,” Lawson told media including RacingNews365.

“With the amount of time I spent just being reserve and going to the races with Red Bull and doing simulator work, and over the years, just driving the car a lot in the sim, although it’s not on track, I’ve done a few tests, here and there.

“But I think just because of that, time spent helping develop the car and driving the car in the current state that it was, I guess you get used to it.”

Lawson makes 'professional' vow as Verstappen test looms

Lawson is the fourth team-mate to line-up alongside Verstappen at Red Bull since Daniel Ricciardo's exit from the squad in 2018.

Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Perez were all convincingly beaten by Verstappen, who goes in hunt of a fifth F1 title this year.

After his predecessors struggled to get on top of the previous Red Bull cars, Lawson has stated it is up to him to adapt his driving style to whatever challenger the team presents him. 

“You sort of understand that’s how it [the car] is,” he said. 

“I think having a driving style, technically, we’re meant to be professionals.

“We’re meant to be able to drive what we’re given and maximise that.

“So I think it’s not really so much whether the driving style suits me or not, but it’s about how I make it work. And I’d like to think that I can do that.”