Sergio Perez is parting ways with the Red Bull team after a season of disappointments and numerous errors behind the wheel.
Perez is leaving the Anglo-Austrian outfit after four years, during which time he was given an opportunity to compete at the top level.
The Mexican driver won five races for the team, and his first victory came in fortuitous circumstances at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2021.
Max Verstappen retired with a puncture with Lewis Hamilton and made a clumsy error at a restart. Hamilton accidentally hit the brake magic button, which caused him to lock up at Turn 1, handing the win to Perez.
Perez gradually declined over his four-year stint at Red Bull, and the 2024 season was particularly difficult. He didn’t win a race, and the Mexicans’ last podium came in China.
Red Bull are assessing a couple of candidates to step in alongside Verstappen in the main team next season and replace Perez.
Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda tested the Red Bull in Abu Dhabi and is a candidate, while Liam Lawson also has a chance to be selected by the Austrian team.
Red Bull fans have had their say and rated Lawson’s chances against Verstappen if the Kiwi is chosen to partner the four-time world champion.
Red Bull fans have mixed feelings about Liam Lawson’s potential chances against Max Verstappen
Lawson stepped into the RB team alongside Tsunoda ahead of the United States Grand Prix and scored points with a ninth-place finish in Austin.
A lot of fans took to X to voice their opinions about Lawson and discuss how he would perform against Verstappen at Red Bull.
A fan wrote that Lawson would struggle against Verstappen and that Red Bull’s decision to partner him with the four-time world champion would be bad.
They said: “Replacing him with Lawson is a car crash decision… I predict he won’t last the season.”
Some Red Bull fans were more concerned about Lawson, as some pointed out that the New Zealander has raced in Formula 1 just 11 times.
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A fan feels that Red Bull may struggle with Lawson in a year as he has so little experience and hasn’t yet fought at the front.
They wrote: “Can’t risk a repeat, and they hire a fella who has 11 races under his belt. They’re going to be in the same situation this time next year.”
Another fan explained that they like Lawson but anticipate him suffering a difficult time alongside Verstappen if they are partnered together.
They said: “I like Liam Lawson, but I fully expect him to flop just like all of Max’s other teammates. I don’t know whether Red Bull simply ignore their 2nd driver or if the pressure is so intense that no once can cope, but that 2nd RB seat might as well be cursed.”
Red Bull have the options of Lawson and his RB teammate Tsunoda, who are both very quick but relatively inexperienced in Formula 1.
A fan feels Tsunoda should be chosen to replace Perez and said: “If they announce Liam Lawson as his replacement instead of Yuki..oh boy..”
Some fans were more optimistic about Lawson and felt he could perform alongside Verstappen next season if given the opportunity.
A Red Bull fan said: “Wow. Sergio Perez is out of Red Bull. What a moment this is going to be for Liam Lawson!”
Another added: “Max Verstappen has devoured every teammate. Gasly. Kvyat. Ricciardo. Albon. Now, Sergio Perez. I believe Liam Lawson may be able to survive.”
Liam Lawson wasn’t significantly quicker than Yuki Tsunoda this season
Lawson lacked raw speed in qualifying over his eight races at RB and failed to outqualify his teammate Tsunoda once.
Qualifying can be a difficult part of the Grand Prix weekend to master, as the Pirelli tyres have a very narrow operating window.
The Kiwi also got involved in some incidents, and Lawson swore at Perez in Mexico in a clumsy duel that ended with neither driver scoring a point.
Lawson has been consistently linked to Red Bull recently but would be a risk without any experience of fighting for Grand Prix wins.
If Red Bull selects Lawson, he will have to be near-perfect to match Verstappen over a season next year, but it’s worth a risk after Perez’s declining performances.
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