Christian Horner has praised one Liam Lawson trait that proves he could challenge Max Verstappen in 2025

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Liam Lawson has one of the most difficult tasks in Formula 1 awaiting him in 2025 as he partners Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

The Kiwi has just 11 races of Formula 1 experience and has been thrown in at the deep end for his first full-time season in the sport.

Lawson fared well against ex-teammate Yuki Tsunoda at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls last year in race trim, and it’s what helped to earn him his new gig.

Red Bull don’t expect their second driver to be on par with Verstappen, but they do want something more than Sergio Perez managed to deliver for them last year.

Lawson revealed that Red Bull gave him the bare minimum information as he chased a seat with them for 2025.

They wanted his performances to speak for themselves and although Visa Cash App Racing Bulls failed to finish sixth as they once had hoped to achieve in the Constructors’ Championship, they did remain in the fight until the end.

Christian Horner says Liam Lawson showed ‘mental resilience’ before earning Red Bull seat

Lawson hates the Red Bull commercial obligations after his promotion as he explores new tasks in his job that he didn’t have to face before.

He probably won’t mind them so much if he starts winning though, and his mentality suggests that could be the case.

As is typical with young drivers, he has a fearless and almost carefree attitude about his racing that has already rubbed Fernando Alonso up the wrong way.

READ MORE: Helmut Marko now explains what Yuki Tsunoda ‘lacks’ that prompted Red Bull to promote Liam Lawson

Team boss Christian Horner spoke about his resilience and mental strength on the way to Formula 1 last year with ESPN.

“His qualifying pace was very tight with Yuki, and you’ve got to assume that the potential with Liam having only done 11 grand prix, is he’s only going to get better and stronger. He’s shown real mental resilience and toughness,” he said.

“A couple of things have stood out with me with Liam – how versatile he is,” Horner said. “You put him into a situation, he gets on with it. If you remember his debut in Zandvoort after Daniel broke his fingers, he was racing against Max on his outlap.

“He’s got that kind of gritty racer mentality. He did a year in the DTM where he adjusted to driving a Ferrari GT car incredibly quickly alongside Alex Albon and generally had the upper hand.”

Why Liam Lawson can beat Max Verstappen in 2025

Lawson summoned a meeting between Horner and Helmut Marko last season after an incident between himself and Perez at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

It wasn’t because he was angry, but more about apologising and explaining his actions. He showed a rare level of maturity for his age which may have gone in his favour at decision time for a seat.

READ MORE: Liam Lawson says it’s ‘crazy’ that rapid driver doesn’t have F1 seat after outpacing Lance Stroll

His grit and determination is one of the things he shares in common with Verstappen. Backing down doesn’t appear to be in his nature and that should be of benefit to him in 2025.

Horner thought Lawson looked like a seasoned campaigner at least year’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where he was driving inside the top six early on.

Sadly the pace of his car couldn’t help him remain there, but he will have the opportunity to show more glimpses of that promise this year. It might just help him get his first win if he has the car capable of leading him there.