Liam Lawson's responsibilities at Red Bull in 2025 will be two-fold, according to the team's veteran advisor Dr Helmut Marko.
Lawson steps into a full-time race seat this season after part-time stints in Red Bull's junior team over the past two years. He replaces Sergio Perez, whose inconsistency in 2024 contributed to Red Bull losing the constructors' championship to McLaren.
With McLaren retaining an unchanged driver lineup, CEO Zak Brown believes that could be a key advantage for his team.
"Obviously Kimi (Antonelli) is a rookie and Liam is, let's say, inexperienced rather than a rookie," Brown said this week. "They will inevitably both have a couple of 'rookie weekends'.
"I think from a constructors' point of view it will probably be more challenging for them to excel over all 24 races."
For Marko, Lawson, 23, must be competitive right from the start.
When asked by Österreich about the New Zealander's role in 2025, Marko made it clear: "He should be a constant point collector and help Max (Verstappen) when necessary – not just try to do so."
Meanwhile, Verstappen has taken a low-profile approach to the off-season, only recently appearing for a seat fitting in Red Bull's 2025 car and attending F1's London launch event.
Marko revealed that even he has yet to see the final 2025 Red Bull challenger in person.
"Max is in a good mood and is waiting for the first test kilometres in Bahrain," said the 81-year-old Austrian.
"We have our filming day on February 25, after which the official tests start with the new car, which I haven't seen in real life yet."
Unlike some rivals, Red Bull has opted not to hold a separate car launch.
"London was enough for us," Marko stated. "We also have filming days and then the tests in Bahrain."
Looking ahead to the season, Marko confirmed he will be attending all 24 grands prix.
"Of course. I've recovered well – I'm in top shape," he said.
