Sergio Perez’s Red Bull seat is up for grabs ahead of the 2025 season. But whoever occupies it next year will face one of the toughest tasks in F1 history.
Max Verstappen has established himself as one of the all-time greats by winning a fourth consecutive world championship. And Red Bull aren’t ashamed to admit that the team is built around him.
Ever since Daniel Ricciardo left to join Renault at the end of the 2018 season, Verstappen has been a teammate killer. Ricciardo’s successor Pierre Gasly only lasted half a season before a demotion back to Toro Rosso.
Alex Albon was next but he dropped off the F1 grid altogether after 18 months, with Verstappen once again in a different league almost every weekend. Perez is about to complete his fourth season next to the Dutchman, but few would argue he’s been a meaningful upgrade on his predecessors.
Red Bull viewed Perez as an able deputy until the mid-point of 2023, when his form started to unravel. He’s spent more time in midfield than he has in the same race as Verstappen this year.
Christian Horner didn’t want to sign Carlos Sainz, fearing tension in the garage, and no other truly elite drivers are available. That means any Perez replacement is unlikely to challenge Verstappen, but the key is to be within around three-tenths and score strong points consistently.
Jenson Button says Yuki Tsunoda deserves Red Bull chance – but is unsure if he’d ‘want’ it
One driver who’s desperate to put himself in the frame is Yuki Tsunoda. This is his fourth season with junior team RB, and clearly his best yet.
Tsunoda is just outside the top 10 in the drivers’ standings, having never previously finished higher than 14th. He convincingly outperformed Daniel Ricciardo, especially in qualifying, before the eight-time Grand Prix winner lost his seat.
Speaking on Sky Sports F1 before Qatar Grand Prix qualifying, 2009 world Jenson Button said Tsunoda should no longer be overlooked. But he also questioned whether it would be the wisest career move.
After seeing what’s happened to Gasly, Albon and Perez, any driver would be brave to take on Verstappen. Based on his Thursday interview, Tsunoda is unsure whether he’s a Red Bull contender.
“I’m really impressed with Yuki,” Button said. “I think he should have an opportunity to race alongside Max. I don’t know if I’d want to race alongside Max. But it’s an opportunity I think he maybe should be given at some point.”
Is pursuit of Red Bull seat harming Yuki Tsunoda at Qatar Grand Prix?
Tsunoda is trying to ‘force the issue’ at Red Bull, using the media to make his case. He’s secured a test run after the Abu Dhabi GP, but it’s unclear whether or not this is an audition.
Helmut Marko feels Tsunoda lacks ‘stability’, for all of his raw speed. That would appear to suggest he isn’t viewed as Red Bull material.
Sprint qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix may have justified his concerns. While Liam Lawson, his teammate and a known contender, reached SQ3, he was eliminated at the first hurdle.
One theory is that Tsunoda is driving ‘stressed’ amid the Red Bull headlines. Horner will be looking for a driver who’s resistant to external noise.
