Red Bull are yet to make a decision regarding Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 future and a big call could be coming very soon.
Not many drivers could survive as Max Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, and it’s part of what makes hiring a second driver so difficult for them.
The two key figures with a chance of a seat with the Milton Keynes-based outfit currently are Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson.
They were partnered together for the final six races of the Formula 1 season at Visa Cash App RB which produced some telling results.
Tsunoda out-qualified Lawson 6-0 in those events and proved that he’s the quicker driver for now. Maybe the extra 76 races of experience does play a big role after all.
Red Bull have plenty of data to assess both with and have taken the time to make an informed decision, but although it would serve as a surprise, Perez has a contract for 2025 still and a change may not be made.
Helmut Marko says Yuki Tsunoda is ‘far better’ at giving feedback than he gets credit for
Helmut Marko revealed Red Bull’s driver decision will come in a matter of days as they begin to prepare for the 2025 season.
This year’s third place in the Constructors’ Championship was their worst result since 2019 and outlined just how much their Mexican driver suffered.
Perez struggled with a very difficult braking issue which hurt his confidence and saw his lap time affected as a result.
READ MORE: Yuki Tsunoda now rates his chances out of 100 to be racing for Red Bull instead of Sergio Perez in 2025
After climbing into the RB20 for a test, Marko told SPEEDWEEK that he was very impressed with Tsunoda’s level of feedback to the team after running.
“During the post-season tests, Yuki Tsunoda was allowed to take to the track in the RB20 and the team was happy with his technical feedback,” he said.
“In this respect, he is far better than people give him credit for. He is just one of many talents that we have in our ranks.”
Is Yuki Tsunoda a better option than Liam Lawson for Red Bull in 2025?
Red Bull have promoted youngsters prematurely before and with the exception of Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, it doesn’t always go well.
Lawson making Fernando Alonso angry just a matter of races into his Formula 1 career proves that he needs more time to settle.
He may have more potential in the long run, but Tsunoda has more to offer the team than anyone available to them right now.
READ MORE: Why Red Bull tried to ‘calm down’ F1 fans over Yuki Tsunoda test
The 24-year-old has spent four long years grafting and leading the junior team, developing his attitude and skillset.
Tsunoda cannot be expected to beat Verstappen on a regular basis or challenge for the Drivers’ Championship, but he can contribute a lot more than Perez has to their Constructors’ title bid.
