The New Zealander Liam Lawson has been confirmed as Sergio Pérez’s substitute at Pink Bull for subsequent season. It was introduced on Wednesday that the Mexican driver had misplaced his seat after 4 years as Max Verstappen’s teammate after a disappointing 12 months.
Lawson, who joined the Pink Bull Junior Programme in 2019, steps in after 11 races for the RB group. The 22-year-old mentioned: “To be introduced as an Oracle Pink Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me. That is one thing I’ve wished and labored in direction of since I used to be eight years outdated.
“It’s been an unimaginable journey up to now. I need to say an enormous thanks to the entire group at VCARB (RB) for his or her assist, the final six races have performed an enormous half in my preparation for this subsequent step. I’m tremendous excited to work alongside Max and study from a world champion. I’ve little question I’ll study from his experience. I can’t wait to get going.”
Lawson made his debut in F1 on the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix instead of the injured Daniel Ricciardo and went on to compete in 5 races, scoring his first factors in Texas. Lawson then changed Ricciardo on a everlasting foundation for the ultimate six races of the 2024 season and impressed sufficiently to make the leap to Pink Bull.
Pink Bull’s group principal, Christian Horner, backed Lawson to shine, saying: “Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Visa Money App Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not solely able to delivering sturdy outcomes however that he’s additionally an actual racer, not afraid to combine it with the perfect and are available out on prime.
“His arrival continues the group’s lengthy historical past of selling from inside the Pink Bull Junior Programme and he follows within the footsteps of championship and race-winning drivers reminiscent of Sebastian Vettel and, in fact, Max Verstappen.
“There’s little question that racing alongside Max, a four-time champion and undoubtedly one of many biggest drivers ever seen in F1, is a frightening job however I’m certain Liam can rise to that problem and ship some excellent outcomes for us subsequent 12 months.”
Valtteri Bottas is rejoining Mercedes as a reserve driver within the 2025 season. Bottas received 10 races with Mercedes as a teammate of Lewis Hamilton from 2017-21. In 2022 he joined Alfa Romeo, which grew to become the Sauber group, when Mercedes handed him over in favour of George Russell.
The 35-year-old Bottas completed twenty second within the driver standings in 2024, failing to attain a degree. Bottas, from Finland, parted methods with the Sauber group earlier this month following the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He joins Russell and the 18-year-old newcomer Kimi Antonelli on the 2025 group with hopes of a full-time driver spot with a group in 2026. Antonelli takes over for Hamilton, who departed for Ferrari. Hamilton and Bottas collectively received 5 constructors’ championships for Mercedes.
“Returning residence to the Mercedes household as third driver for 2025 is what’s subsequent and I couldn’t be extra happy,” Bottas mentioned. “Regardless of the challenges of the previous few years, I do know that I’ve nonetheless bought a lot extra to contribute to F1,” he added.
“Since I used to be a five-year-old child rising up in Nastola, Finland, my focus has been on attaining success within the prime tier of motorsport. I’m trying ahead to utilizing all of the data I’ve gained to assist the group to carry out and progress in direction of our aim of combating for world championships.”
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