Former F1 driver Anthony Davidson believes Liam Lawson’s first 12 months at Purple Bull is “make or break” as he tries to get near Max Verstappen in 2025.
After simply 11 races to his title, Purple Bull selected Lawson over Yuki Tsunoda as Verstappen’s teammate for the 2025 F1 season.
Whereas Lawson didn’t essentially out-perform Tsunoda, Purple Bull have been impressed with how rapidly he’s tailored to F1.
Lawson has additionally dealt with himself effectively on monitor, notably throughout intense wheel-to-wheel battles towards Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez.
Looking forward to the brand new season, Davidson outlined what he expects from Lawson throughout his first full F1 marketing campaign.
“Liam Lawson’s temporary is easy. If I used to be staff boss there, I’d be in search of Liam to bag extra factors that Sergio Perez did from midway by means of final 12 months to the top of the 12 months,” Davidson wrote on the Sky Sports activities F1 web site.
“However perhaps the staff need extra, perhaps the followers need extra and to see Max Verstappen challenged however that’s a tall order if you happen to’re going up towards the very best within the enterprise proper now. As issues get harder with the closing competitors, you’ll see Max get much more out of himself in these moments and subsequently the goalposts transfer much more for somebody like Liam.
“Liam is aware of that is make or break. Your profession’s come up to now the place you’re on this plateau, it’s now time to ship and if you happen to do, you’re going to be in F1 for a very long time, however I’m certain he’s absolutely conscious that many have tried and lots of have failed, alongside Max.”
Lawson has the “resilience” to deal with Verstappen
The second Purple Bull seat has been a poisoned chalice since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure on the finish of 2018.
Pierre Gasly was dropped by Purple Bull halfway by means of his first season with the staff in 2019 for Alex Albon.
Albon then struggled and was axed on the finish of 2020 after he didn’t out-qualify Verstappen in any of the 17 races.
Sergio Perez remained at Purple Bull for 4 full seasons, however speak about his future was frequent.
Davidson feels Lawson has the resilience to deal with the problem of going up towards Verstappen.
“We have now seen some nice drivers get mentally destroyed,” Davidson added. “As intimidating as that’s, you at the least have the data of this chance.
“With solely 11 Grands Prix below his belt, this will probably be powerful for Liam. I’m excited to see how he does as a result of I feel he’s nice. He’s bought resilience and I hope he handles himself effectively.
“As for Max, he’ll simply hope he has a automobile that provides him half an opportunity. I’m certain we are going to see extra brilliance and extra moments the place it’s near the sting, or over the restrict as he continues to battle in true Max Verstappen ruthless fashion. He at all times will get essentially the most out of the automobile.”
