£780k-a-year F1 star is driving ‘stressed’ at Qatar Grand Prix because he wants Red Bull seat ‘too much’

The situation at Red Bull is incredibly complex heading into the 2025 season as the team is assessing what to do with their driver line-up next year.

While Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title in 2024 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, teammate Sergio Perez has endured a miserable season on the other side of the garage.

The Mexican is currently in his worst position in the drivers’ championship as he sits eighth in the standings. Perez has desperately struggled in 2024, having not finished on the podium since the Chinese Grand Prix.

The 34-year-old’s difficulties with the RB20 have been made more apparent in the last few races, as he has failed to reach Q3 in the last eight qualifying sessions (including Sprint qualifying).

Perez will start 16th in the Sprint race in Qatar. Jenson Button said there was nothing wrong with Perez’s lap, instead stressing that he was just not on the pace again.

This latest qualifying disaster adds more fuel to the fire that Perez could be replaced by Red Bull before 2025. The Milton Keynes-based outfit are set to have serious conversations over the summer about promoting one of the RB drivers to the main team.

Yuki Tsunoda may want the second Red Bull seat ‘too much’ after seeming ‘stressed’ in Qatar

Yuki Tsunoda is an option to replace Perez next season. The Japanese driver has been well-established at Red Bull, having driven with their junior team – previously known as AlphaTauri – since 2021.

Tsunoda has been vocal about his desire to race for the main team and he has a great opportunity to do just that with Perez under pressure to keep his seat. But journalist Aaron Deckers thinks the £780k-a-year driver wants the move ‘too much’ after seeing his performance at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old will start the Sprint race behind Perez in 17th after also being eliminated from SQ1. Tsunoda complained that the team were moving too quickly in qualifying as he returns to the career, and Deckers sees this as a sign of ‘stress’ over his uncertain future.

Speaking from Qatar via RacingNews365, he said: “Yes, a bit of stress with Tsunoda. Maybe the plan isn’t working quite the way they want?

“He did indeed indicate that everything was working too quickly, but yes, you can see that Tsunoda every now and then he has those moments.

“Then he seems to be a bit overwrought, so to speak. Then he wants it too much, and then yes, it actually brings stress. That may have been the case again today.”

Red Bull are considering Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez over Yuki Tsunoda

While the Japanese driver certainly has to be considered for the second Red Bull seat over Perez, the team does not seem too keen on him. Red Bull have a ‘fundamental problem’ with Tsunoda as he is backed by Honda, which could cost him the seat alongside Verstappen.

His teammate Liam Lawson is the favourite for the Red Bull promotion after his impressive performances with RB since he replaced Daniel Ricciardo from Austin onwards.

Lawson is certain to be signed by the Faenza squad for the 2025 season if Perez stays at Red Bull. But if the Mexican is sacked and the Kiwi driver is chosen to replace him, it will open the door for a seat alongside Tsunoda at RB.

Red Bull are interested in Franco Colapinto after his solid displays with Williams this season. However, Lawrence Barretto says Red Bull will probably sign Isack Hadjar over Colapinto if Lawson is promoted to the main team next season, leaving the Argentine on the sidelines.