Red Bull Racing's Christian Horner acknowledges potential risks in promoting Liam Lawson alongside Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula 1 season, drawing parallels to previous challenges faced by Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon.

Despite Lawson's limited experience of just 11 grands prix, Horner expresses confidence in the young driver's unique character and ability to handle pressure. The team principal notes that Lawson's driving style closely mirrors Verstappen's, particularly in handling positive front-end characteristics.

The decision to accelerate Lawson's promotion came after Sergio Perez's disappointing season. Horner emphasizes that the team is developing the RB21 with a wider operating window than its predecessor, aiming to create a more forgiving car for the newcomer.

Key factors supporting Lawson's transition include:

• His proven resilience during previous opportunities
• Similar driving style to Verstappen
• Clear team hierarchy with Verstappen as lead driver
• Planned improvements in car handling characteristics

Horner stresses the importance of managing expectations for Lawson, highlighting that unlike when Gasly and Albon joined, the team now has an established four-time world champion in Verstappen, creating a clearer understanding of the second driver's role.

The team plans to protect Lawson from excessive pressure while focusing on his development within Red Bull's competitive environment, learning from past experiences with young drivers in the team.

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