The dust has finally settled after the intense 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, and Red Bull Racing has made its decision: Max Verstappen’s teammate at Sakhir – and potentially beyond – has been confirmed. In a move that’s taken many by surprise, Red Bull has chosen to reinstate Sergio Pérez as the official number two, leaving rising star Liam Lawson’s future in a cloud of uncertainty.

The announcement came shortly after the Bahrain Grand Prix concluded, where Verstappen secured yet another dominant win, reinforcing his reign at the top of Formula 1. While the Dutch driver’s performance was expected, what followed was anything but. Speculation had been swirling for months that Red Bull was preparing to promote Liam Lawson to a full-time seat following his impressive performances in testing and as a stand-in driver in late 2024.

However, in a post-race press conference, team principal Christian Horner laid the rumors to rest. “We’ve made our decision based on experience, team cohesion, and racecraft under pressure,” Horner said. “Checo has shown consistency, maturity, and a willingness to support the team. While Liam’s talent is undeniable, he still has some growing to do.”

The news comes as a blow to Lawson fans, many of whom believed the New Zealander had done enough to earn his spot beside Verstappen. During the 2025 Bahrain GP weekend, Lawson was present with the team and even participated in FP1, posting a time just 0.3 seconds off Verstappen’s pace – an impressive margin for a driver without a full-time seat.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities Red Bull has given me,” Lawson said in a brief media appearance. “Obviously, I hoped for more, but I trust the team’s vision. My focus is on staying sharp and being ready when the next call comes.”

Still, questions remain about the future of Red Bull’s driver development program. Some critics argue that the decision signals a reluctance to take risks on younger talent, while others see it as a smart move to maintain team stability in a high-pressure season.

Social media reaction has been mixed, with hashtags like #JusticeForLiam trending shortly after the announcement. Verstappen, meanwhile, remained neutral on the matter, stating, “I’ll work with whoever’s next to me. Checo and I have built a solid working relationship, and I’m happy to continue that.”

As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Lawson’s next steps – whether he finds a seat at another team, remains Red Bull’s reserve driver, or is loaned out to a sister team like RB or even Haas. One thing is certain: Liam Lawson’s story in Formula 1 is far from over. But for now, Red Bull has made its choice, and the road ahead belongs once again to Verstappen and Pérez.