Red Bull have a huge decision to make in the coming weeks, as they decide whether to replace Sergio Perez and insert a new driver next to Max Verstappen.
Both McLaren and Ferrari beat them in the Constructors’ Championship this season, courtesy of a miserable campaign for their Mexican driver.
Yuki Tsunoda is linked to Perez’s seat as well as his Visa Cash App RB teammate Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto, although interest in the latter has cooled.
Perez suffered from a difficult braking issue in 2024, which saw him end the season with a run of 19 consecutive races without a podium.
That was in a car in which teammate Verstappen won the Drivers’ Championship by a comfortable margin in – indicating that his confidence and form may be the issue.
Giedo van der Garde recommends Liam Lawson to replace Sergio Perez
The first hurdle that Red Bull faces if they would like to replace their underperforming driver, is that he has a contract for 2025.
Perez earns £6.25 million-per-year currently, so they would need to eradicate that agreement before entering talks with anyone else.
Visa Cash App RB’s two drivers appear to be their best options at the moment, as individuals who they have the most data on, and know what they are capable of.
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Giedo van der Garde has backed Lawson for the drive and thinks that his wage would be much lower than Perez’s – creating a saving for Red Bull.
“Suppose if Carlos Slim wants a South American [at Red Bull]. You can take it with you to Colapinto. Colapinto [gets] put at VCARB, then the sponsorship will remain the same left and right,” he told the DRS: De Race Show.
“Carlos Slim will remain at Red Bull, sit and hang, so that is solved. You pay Perez off and you get Lawson. Lawson, you pay maybe a million a year. Maybe with bonuses, two million. Compared to Perez that is a big difference.”
Is it too early for Liam Lawson to race for Red Bull’s F1 team?
Just 11 races into his Formula 1 career, Lawson finds himself in a position where he is a contender for the most coveted front-running seat in the sport.
Albeit partnering Verstappen has proven to be the most difficult task in the sport over the last few years, it’s one that he would relish anyway.
Nico Rosberg said Lawson isn’t obvious as the replacement for Perez, which serves as a nod to his Japanese teammate.
READ MORE: What Red Bull ‘immediately said’ about Yuki Tsunoda test after 127-lap Abu Dhabi outing
It would feel harsh on Tsunoda if he were to miss out, having out-qualified Lawson 6-0 during their short time together in 2024.
He even has 76 more races worth of experience under his belt, but Red Bull makes cut-throat decisions and they’re not afraid to make another bold call here.
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