New Zealander Liam Lawson will replace Sergio Perez in the daunting role of teammate to four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull next season, the Formula One team said on Thursday.

Perez¡¯s departure was announced on Wednesday and Lawson¡¯s promotion from Red Bull¡¯s sister team RB had been expected. The move means that the more-experienced Yuki Tsunoda will stay with the RB team for the 2025 season.

The 22-year-old made his F1 debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix as a five-race stand-in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo and returned for the last six races of this season when the Australian was dropped.