Red Bull have been choosing between three drivers to partner Max Verstappen in 2025. The incumbent Sergio Perez is at risk of losing his seat despite signing a new contract in June.
Perez’s management believe his contract is ‘watertight’, and the driver himself has repeatedly stated that he will stay. However, Christian Horner and Helmut Marko wouldn’t openly discuss the possibility of a change unless they were confident it was possible.
One theory is that Perez is in breach of contract at Red Bull. He may have activated a break clause by falling too far behind Verstappen before the summer break.
That would allow Horner to terminate the agreement, but he must first be convinced that there’s a superior alternative available. Liam Lawson has looked like the main contender since returning to RB last month.
| TEAM | DRIVER ONE | DRIVER TWO |
| McLaren | Lando Norris | Oscar Piastri |
| Ferrari | Charles Leclerc | Lewis Hamilton |
| Red Bull | Max Verstappen | ? |
| Mercedes | George Russell | Kimi Antonelli |
| Aston Martin | Fernando Alonso | Lance Stroll |
| Alpine | Pierre Gasly | Jack Doohan |
| Haas | Esteban Ocon | Oliver Bearman |
| RB | Yuki Tsunoda | ? |
| Williams | Carlos Sainz | Alex Albon |
| Sauber | Nico Hulkenberg | Gabriel Bortoleto |
Lawson has only driven in eight Grands Prix but he’s scored points in three of those. In a midfield car, that’s an impressive feat, and crucially he’s compared well to the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda.
Williams driver Franco Colapinto is even more of a novice. But with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz under contract at Grove for 2025, Red Bull have spied an opportunity to poach an emerging talent.
Red Bull are now planning to place Franco Colapinto next to Max Verstappen
Speaking to the Missed Apex F1 channel, journalist Joe Saward said Red Bull had chosen Colapinto as Verstappen’s teammate. That will see Perez lose his spot on the grid, with Lawson set to remain at RB alongside Tsunoda.
It’s not a certainty that the Argentine make the move, because Red Bull still need to agree terms with Williams. One report claims that Colapinto’s team set a Vegas deadline to decide his future, but they may have to extend it.
Saward is optimistic that the two parties will agree a deal eventually. Red Bull have offered £15.4m for Colapinto as they try to buy him out of his Williams contract.
“He’s going to drive the second Red Bull,” Saward said. “Sorry Mexico. That’s the plan, whether it works I can’t tell you. I think the chances are it will come off. They just have to work it out. That will take some time.”
Was this the moment that cost Liam Lawson a Red Bull seat?
Overlooking Lawson for Colapinto seems harsh on the surface. They’re similar in experience and pedigree, and one of them is already part of the Red Bull family.
Perhaps commercial considerations have come into play. Paddock rumours suggest Colapinto brings £25m in sponsorship money and that figure should only increase as his popularity soars across Latin America.
Lawson was ‘told off’ by his father after he gave Perez the middle finger at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Perhaps that moment raised concerns within Red Bull about his temperament.
While losing out to Colapinto would be a knock, it’s not a permanent rejection. Lawson could race for Red Bull in 2026, perhaps alongside his fellow youngster, if Verstappen leaves.
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