Sergio Perez’s time as a Red Bull Racing driver appears to be all but over after a torrid 2024 campaign.
Red Bull should have had a shot at winning the 2024 Constructors’ Championship after Max Verstappen stormed to a fourth consecutive title.
However, they went into the final race of the season without a mathematical chance of catching McLaren and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix summed up Sergio Perez’s season.
The 34-year-old managed to reach Q3 but set the slowest time in the final session.
It turned out to be the final completed competitive lap he raced this year.
Valtteri Bottas made contact with Perez going into the first chicane of the race and he was forced to retire from the Grand Prix.
Perez was downbeat after the race in Abu Dhabi, but his stance has always been that he won’t resign from his position at Red Bull.
A meeting took place last week to decide the next steps for Red Bull and RB going into 2025.
Speaking on Canal+, journalist Julien Febreau believes that a decision on Perez’s future and who will replace him has now been made.
Sergio Perez to be replaced by Liam Lawson at Red Bull for the 2025 season
Talking about the situation at the Anglo-Austrian outfit, Febreau said: “We can now confirm that Sergio Perez will no longer be driving for Red Bull next year.
“The decision has been made. We’re confirming what we told you.
“It will be announced by the end of the week. Liam Lawson will be driving alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year.
“It’s a logical choice for the Austrian team.”
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Febreau’s colleague continued: “There’s still a spot up for grabs at Racing Bulls, so that’s that.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed because, obviously, Isack Hadjar, the French driver, may be in line to take that seat. We want him!”
Febreau had his fingers crossed at the time, as the French team of journalists hoped to have a third driver from the country on the grid next year alongside Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.
This news has also been corroborated by Sky Germany, who believe Perez’s time with the team is up, with Lawson set to earn a promotion.
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko getting their wish with Liam Lawson
Once the season concluded, there were only two logical choices to replace Perez if Red Bull were going to move him aside.
Yuki Tsunoda is the more experienced option for Red Bull, but Christian Horner has had concerns about Tsunoda for some time, even if he did impress in his post-season test with the team.
Tsunoda’s contribution was described as excellent by Red Bull, but he’s not Horner or Helmut Marko’s preferred candidate.
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Lawson is a lot less experienced than Tsunoda, but after 11 Grand Prix, is very close to the Japanese driver’s level already.
Horner and Marko have wanted to promote Lawson since the season ended, but needed to discuss the matter with the team’s shareholders after the race in Abu Dhabi.
They look set to get their wish and while it’s unclear if Perez will become a Red Bull ambassador, it does look like his time with the team is about to come to an end.
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