Liam Lawson receives Red Bull to-do list with Max Verstappen deficit expected

Liam Lawson is expected to be three-tenths of a second behind Max Verstappen in F1 2025, according to Helmut Marko.

leyson steps up red bull racing of Racing Bulls in F1 2025, having competed in just 11 Formula 1 races over the course of the last two seasons.

Helmut Marko: Accept that Max Verstappen is the best

The young New Zealander stood in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo for five races of F1 2023, before jumping into the Australian’s car as a full substitute for the final five races of the F1 2024 championship.

With Sergio Perez and Red Bull parting ways after the season following a dismal season for the Mexican driver, Lawson got the nod over Yuki Tsunoda to become Max Verstappen’s teammate for this season.

It’s a huge challenge for the New Zealander, who not only has to deal with adapting to life in Formula 1 as a full-time driver from the start, but also does so as a teammate to the most formidable name in the sport, as Verstappen aims for fifth place. consecutive world championship.

Other inexperienced drivers have weakened alongside Verstappen, including Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon (who later established themselves after taking a step back in midfield) and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko urged Lawson to keep his head. and not try to beat Verstappen immediately.

“Taking into account that within the team he competes against the one who is currently the best driver in Formula 1, let’s avoid what many of Max’s other teammates have done,” he said. RTL.

“Where they tried to find remedies in technology, (that is) with some absurd strategic plays and setups.

“You have to accept that it is the best and see how far you can go. But you can’t go in thinking: ‘I’m going to beat him.’

“That backfired on all of his teammates.”

Perez’s inability to score points during F1 2024 cost Red Bull dearly in the Constructors’ Championship, with the reigning champions dropping to third place behind McLaren and Ferrari at the end of the season.

Lawson is expected to be a few tenths off Verstappen’s pace, which should provide the team with a strong enough partnership to challenge for the title once again in F1 2025, provided the team proves to be competitive enough.

“He should be three tenths behind Max both in qualifying and in the race,” said the Austrian.

“This should be enough to get points for the Constructors’ Championship.

“You should also constantly increase your performance, if possible.”

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Lawson had to wait a considerable time to clarify his future, as Red Bull signed Perez to a two-year extension over the summer, a deal that had to be worked out for a buyout.

With negotiations underway to see if a split was the right way forward, Lawson was left flailing on the sidelines, Marko revealed, before he finally got the nod to land a full-time role.

“He is down to earth and had to wait a while to get to Formula 1,” Marko said.

“And then, because of the contractual situation with Checo Pérez, it took a while before we were contractually allowed to say anything.

“So he got a little restless. But let’s put it this way: He was very relieved.”

Speaking to PlanetF1.com ahead of confirmation of his announcement, Lawson revealed that he is very excited to have the opportunity to study Verstappen’s data and try to put his learnings into practice while trying to improve his own skills.

Red Bull’s RB21 will be a completely new environment for Lawson to adapt to, and the New Zealander believes it is his responsibility to adapt to what he has been given, rather than trying to make the RB21 more suitable to his own driving style. .

“In terms of driving styles, I really don’t know if I believe in it that much,” he said.

“I think there are certain things you like a car to do, but I think also, for me, I spent a lot of time developing that car, as a junior and as a reserve over the last few years, and I feel like I understand the way it works pretty well. drive the car.

“But I also don’t fully believe in: ‘This doesn’t suit your driving style.’

“I think as drivers we are professionals and we have to adapt to whatever we drive.”

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