Meet Liam Lawson: The Red Bull prodigy praised as a ‘real racer’ by team principal Christian Horner, supported by his impressive pre-med student girlfriend, ready for his big break.

Liam Lawson was confirmed as Max Verstappen’s team mate at Red Bull for the 2025 season on Thursday morning. 

Christian Horner, the team principal, praised the 22-year-old driver from New Zealand as a true racer. The driver himself acknowledged that competing alongside the four-time world champion Verstappen would be a challenging opportunity.

It is crucial for Lawson to understand the risks associated with being Verstappen’s support. Previous drivers like Daniel Ricciardo, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, and now Sergio Perez have all struggled to meet expectations.

However, it must be noted that Perez’s decline was only noticeable in the current season. During his time as Verstappen’s teammate, he was considered the perfect support – clearly not at the champion’s level but still competent enough to contribute to the team’s constructor’s championship success.

When that form tailed off, it was time to say goodbye. His protracted exit gives Lawson, who took over Ricciardo’s role at Visa RB this season, a chance in one of the best cars on the grid. 

But how has the young driver’s career up until now prepared him for this mammoth moment and who will be the people cheering him on when he makes his debut in Melbourne in March? 

Liam Lawson has been confirmed as Max Verstappen’s team mate at Red Bull for the 2025 season

Red Bull reached an agreement with Sergio Perez (left) to end his contract early after a torrid season

During his time in Formula One, Lawson has been supported by his girlfriend Hannah St. John

Where is he from? 

Born on February 11 2002 in Hastings, New Zealand, Lawson has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the sport. Like many of his peers, his first steps in motorsport came in a kart. 

Lawson, who was raised in Pukekohe, began karting at the age pf seven and won two Karting titles in 2014.  

Who has he raced for? 

Lawson was snapped up by Red Bull as a youngster and they’ve never let go. The 22-year-old has been a part of the constructor’s famed junior driver team and he has excelled in the development programme. 

Lawson has claimed victories on debut in every category he’s raced: Formula First, Formula Ford, Formula Four, Formula Three Asia and the Toyota Racing Series.

A milestone achievement for him was winning NZ F1600 Championship Series in his home country of New Zealand.

Further impressive outings at junior series’ quickly saw him knocking on the door of a seat in Formula One. Lawson competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and enjoyed an excellent campaign with Carlin. He claimed four wins and several podium finishes which helped him secure third place. 

Those successes saw him promoted to reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri.  

Lawson competed in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and enjoyed an excellent campaign with Carlin

Lawson finally got his first taste of Formula One action in 2023 after stepping in for the injured Ricciardo at the Dutch Grand Prix

What’s his record? 

Lawson finally got his first taste of Formula One action in 2023 after stepping in for the injured Ricciardo at the Dutch Grand Prix. He achieved a fine 13th-place finish and went on to race a further four times for AlphaTauri that season, with his best result being a ninth place in Singapore. 

The Kiwi was able to claim a permanent seat for Red Bull’s sister, rebranded to Visa RB in 2024, following the departure of Ricciardo. 

He competed in the final six Grand Prix of the season, starting in the United States where he secured his joint-best finish of ninth. He repeated the feat in Brazil two weeks later. 

He competed in the final six Grand Prix of the season, starting in the United States where he secured his joint-best finish of ninth

Lawson and California-native St. John began dating in October 2022. Since then she has been a visible supporter of the Kiwi driver

The pre-medical student splits her time between her home in California and London, where Lawson is based

Who is his partner?

During his time in Formula One, Lawson has had a very visible supporter in the form of his girlfriend Hannah St. John, who he began dating in October 2022. 

The pre-medical student splits her time between her home in California and London, where Lawson is based. The 21-year-old studies at Arizona State University and regularly shares updates from their personal life with her more than 30,000 Instagram followers.

She reportedly graduated from Corona Del Mar High School in 2021 and will earn her bachelor’s degree in 2025.