In the world of Formula One, driver changes and team switches are a common occurrence. However, when it was announced that young New Zealander Liam Lawson would be replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull in 2025, it sent shockwaves through the racing community.

At just 23 years old, Lawson has already made a name for himself in the motorsports world. He began his racing career at the age of 13 and quickly rose through the ranks, winning multiple championships in various junior categories. In 2019, he joined the Red Bull Junior Team and has been impressing with his performances ever since.

But what led to this decision by Red Bull to replace Perez with Lawson? And what can we expect from this young driver in the future?

Firstly, lets take a look at Sergio Perezs journey with Red Bull. The Mexican driver joined the team in 2021 after spending several years with Racing Point (now Aston Martin). He was brought in as a replacement for Alexander Albon, who struggled to keep up with Max Verstappens pace. Perezs experience and consistency were seen as valuable assets for Red Bull as they aimed to challenge Mercedes for the championship.

Perez had a solid start to his Red Bull career, securing his first win for the team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June 2021. However, he has struggled to consistently match Verstappens pace and has often found himself playing second fiddle to his teammate. This has led to speculation about his future with the team.

On the other hand, Liam Lawson has been making waves in the lower categories of motorsports. He won back-to-back championships in Formula Ford and Toyota Racing Series before joining Formula Three in 2019. In his debut season, he finished fifth overall and was named Rookie of the Year.

In 2020, Lawson moved up to Formula Two and continued to impress with his performances. He secured his first win in the series at the Red Bull Ring and finished the season in fifth place. This caught the attention of Red Bull, who signed him to their junior team.

Since then, Lawson has been competing in Formula Two and has shown great potential. He currently sits third in the championship standings and has already secured two wins this season. His performances have not gone unnoticed by Red Bull, who have been closely monitoring his progress.

So why did Red Bull choose to replace Perez with Lawson? One reason could be Perezs age. By 2025, he will be 35 years old, which is considered old for a Formula One driver. Red Bull may see Lawson as a long-term investment and believe that he has the potential to become a future world champion.

Another factor could be Perezs inconsistency compared to Verstappen. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, he has also had several underwhelming performances this season. Red Bull may see Lawson as a more consistent and reliable option to support Verstappen in their fight against Mercedes.

But what can we expect from Liam Lawson at Red Bull? Based on his performances so far, its safe to say that he has a bright future ahead of him. He has shown great speed and racecraft, as well as an ability to adapt quickly to new challenges.

Lawson also has experience racing on street circuits, which are known for being challenging and require a high level of skill. This will be beneficial for him as several races on the Formula One calendar take place on street circuits.

However, there will also be pressure on Lawsons shoulders as he steps into one of the top teams in Formula One. He will have big shoes to fill as he replaces Perez, who is highly regarded by both fans and fellow drivers.

But if theres one thing weve learned about Lawson so far, its that he thrives under pressure. In an interview with Motorsport.com, he said, "I think I perform better when theres a bit of pressure on me. I like to have that pressure and expectation."

With Red Bulls strong car and the guidance of Verstappen, Lawson has all the tools to succeed at the team. He will also have the opportunity to learn from one of the best drivers on the grid and further develop his skills.

In conclusion, Liam Lawsons move to Red Bull in 2025 is a testament to his talent and potential. While it may have come as a surprise to some, its clear that Red Bull sees him as a valuable asset for their future in Formula One. Only time will tell if this decision will pay off, but one thing is for sure Lawson is a name we will be hearing a lot more of in the coming years.