Liam Lawson has reflected on his F1 2025 journey, describing it as a season marked by emotional upheaval and major turning points. Navigating pressure, sudden opportunities, and rapid career changes, the Liam Lawson F1 2025 journey unfolded with dramatic twists at top teams like Red Bull and Racing Bulls, shaping his growth both as a driver and as a person.
The Tumultuous Start and Rapid Ascension
Lawson’s rise in Formula 1 reached new heights in the aftermath of the 2024 campaign, when he was named as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull. His road to this role had been far from straightforward—after nearly seeing his F1 dreams fade, Lawson received a surprise call-up at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, followed by assuming a full-time seat late in 2024 as he stepped in for an experienced eight-time race winner. With fewer than twelve F1 races completed, Lawson suddenly found himself measured against Verstappen, widely viewed as the benchmark driver of the era—a shift regarded by many as the toughest challenge in modern motorsport.
Initially, prospects looked promising. Red Bull remained a race-winning team, and Lawson was already displaying notable skill behind the wheel. However, just two races into the 2025 season, his circumstances changed dramatically. Difficult events in Australia and China saw his performance dip and confidence shaken. A pivotal decision soon followed: Lawson was reassigned from Red Bull to Racing Bulls, a move described by some as the toughest moment in his professional life. In hindsight, it was broadly viewed as necessary—he had been thrust into the spotlight too quickly, risking both his future and Red Bull’s ambitions.
Adapting to Change at Racing Bulls
The transition back to Racing Bulls was painful but ultimately restorative for Lawson. As the season progressed, his confidence and pace returned, especially during races like Monaco where a key breakthrough allowed him to unlock further improvements. These events set the stage for a steady climb as Lawson began to reconnect with his own potential.
There’s highs and lows you go through,
Lawson told PlanetF1.com in an exclusive interview.
The unpredictable nature of Formula 1 became all too apparent to Lawson, especially given the relentless 24-race calendar filled with travel, sponsor appearances, and simulator sessions. Amid this demanding schedule, he struggled to process both setbacks and achievements, finding little time to reflect between back-to-back events.
Obviously I’m I take things from those weekends to learn from.
Lawson reflected.
With the need to quickly move past each weekend—sometimes with barely three days between races—maintaining a stable mindset proved challenging. The intensity and frequency of emotional fluctuations tested even his considerable resilience.
Trying to stay on top of, just mentally, the highs, the lows, the fact that you have, sometimes three days or not even that, to move past them,
he observed.
Despite moments of self-doubt and performance dips, Lawson was determined to draw lessons from every setback, gradually rediscovering his strengths and rhythm as the year unfolded.
That sort of emotional roller coaster that you go through is something that is quite intense, and something I’ve experienced more this year than any other year.
Lawson admitted.
Endurance Through Adversity and Unusual Pathways
Lawson’s upbringing and early racing career were shaped by adversity. Coming from a family that could not afford the costs of motorsport, he was forced to secure funding on his own, a journey that eventually put him on Red Bull’s radar and through its famously tough driver development program. Opportunities seemed hard-won and never guaranteed.
Recalling past conversations in 2023, Lawson had been racing in Super Formula with lingering fears that his chance in F1 had vanished. Yet when he replaced Daniel Ricciardo later that season, the relief was evident, even though he confessed the doubts of ever making it to the Formula 1 grid had haunted him.
In the high-stress environment of F1, mental toughness proved just as essential as technical skill. Lawson described the sport as “massively mental,” requiring drivers to manage a web of variables on every qualifying lap and throughout every session.
Besides handling the machine, drivers like Lawson must also contend with intense scrutiny and constant evaluation, particularly during their early years when reputations are still being forged. The pressure to deliver under these circumstances is immense.
That’s something that that we probably have to deal with quite a lot.
Lawson shared.
Coping with Intense Media and Internal Pressures
The leap from junior categories and a reserve driver role to a full-time F1 seat is impossible to prepare for fully. The spotlight, raised expectations, and increased media coverage put every detail of a driver’s career—and mistakes—under the magnifying glass. In a media landscape hungry for headlines, negative results can dominate narratives, adding another layer of challenge for those behind the wheel.
To navigate this, Lawson turned to long-time performance coach Enzo Mucci, someone who has supported his mental conditioning since his early racing days. Their relationship proved particularly valuable at the start of the 2025 season, providing the guidance Lawson needed to withstand mounting pressures.
Enzo’s somebody that’s been right there through through all of it,
Lawson said.
Mucci’s consistent presence and advice helped keep Lawson focused on improvement, regardless of the results.
To basically still have him to lean on now, he’s some somebody that I’m very grateful for.
Lawson said, underlining the importance of external support in a sport that tests individuals to their psychological limits.
Return to Form and Building Momentum
As the 2025 season progressed, Lawson rekindled his confidence and competitiveness. His performance in Azerbaijan showcased his ability to match emerging talent like Isack Hadjar, especially as he gained stability after a rocky start to the year. This period of resurgence not only validated his tenacity but also signaled to teams and observers that his earlier struggles had provided a foundation for renewed strength.
Throughout, the lessons of the season transformed Lawson’s approach, making him more adaptable and composed at just 23 years old. He sees this growth as part of an ongoing evolution necessary for lasting success in such a high-stakes sport.
But what I’ve learned this year, and after doing a season in this sport, is you’re constantly changing or learning.
Lawson concluded.
Looking Forward: Resilience Forged Through Challenge
Despite the turbulence and shifting team assignments, the character traits that first brought Lawson attention from figures like Helmut Marko remained unchanged. Known for his easygoing manner and subtle humor, Lawson managed to retain his authenticity even as circumstances pushed him to the brink during the 2025 campaign. Stories from the paddock, including a playful episode in Abu Dhabi, illustrate that beneath the competitive intensity, Lawson’s personality continues to shine.
As the F1 world looks ahead to 2026—with further changes in driver line-ups and technical regulations on the horizon—Lawson stands as an example of resilience in the face of relentless challenges. For fans of Formula 1 and those following the Liam Lawson F1 2025 journey, his season offered a window into the psychological and practical hurdles athletes must overcome on the road to the top tier of motorsport. Time will determine how these lessons shape his future, but his determination to evolve and prevail remains unmistakable.
