Red Bull set to make 2025 driver decision that will keep Max Verstappen and father Jos ‘happy’

Max Verstappen became a four-time Formula 1 world champion in 2024, but this year’s title was arguably his most challenging.

The Dutchman looked to continue his dominance from his incredible 2023 season when he won seven of the opening 10 races. But after winning the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen went on a 10-race winless run as the RB20 suffered a dramatic drop in performance.

McLaren and Ferrari made huge strides forward in development as they both ended up finishing ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship. But while they had the fastest package, McLaren failed to capatalise as Verstappen found it difficult to fight at the front with a less superior car.

The 27-year-old ended up winning his fourth title by 63 points over Lando Norris after winning two more races in Sao Paulo and Qatar – sealing the championship at the event between those Grand Prix in Las Vegas.

It has been a turbulent season on and off the track for Red Bull in 2024, with several key personnel leaving the team throughout the year – including legendary engineer Adrian Newey.

These departures, as well as the slump in development, have led to concerns that the four-time champion could also leave the team before his £47m-a-year contract runs out in 2028.

Verstappen has previously held talks with Mercedes as the Brackley-based outfit targeted the Dutchman as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. But with those discussions now quieting down, Red Bull could be about to make a decision for 2025 that will keep the Verstappen camp pleased with their situation.

Red Bull will keep Max Verstappen ‘happy’ if they decide to sack Sergio Perez

A key factor as to why Red Bull lost their constructors’ title was the poor form of Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez. The Mexican endured his worst season with the team in 2024 as he failed to finish inside the top five after the Miami Grand Prix back in May.

Perez could leave Red Bull before the 2025 season as the team are considering their options for next year. Visa Cash App RB drivers Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda are in contention for the second Red Bull seat, with Lawson said to be Red Bull’s preferred option.

Speaking on the James Allen On F1 Podcast, Ben Hunt says the Verstappen camp will be ‘happy’ if Red Bull do choose to replace Perez with Lawson, and that is ultimately the team’s main priority.

“I think he’s in quite a happy place at the moment and I think that, depending on what Red Bull do with Sergio Perez, if indeed they do replace him with Liam Lawson, I think that that would be another move to keep Max and his Dad happy, and keeping Max happy is Red Bull’s modus operandi throughout his time in the team.

“There’s no reason for him to go anywhere else if he’s happy and delivering wins and scoring points.”

Sergio Perez’s exit from Red Bull is imminent

Red Bull’s owners are said to have met on Monday to discuss Perez’s future and his possible replacements. The next day, Tsunoda drove with Red Bull in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.

Despite this outing, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner disagree about giving Tsunoda a promotion, with the latter not keen on the Japanese driver. This puts Lawson in pole position to replace Perez if the team decide to show him the door.

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Perez was included in the 2025 entry list as he does have a contract with Red Bull until the end of next year, but it is expected that the 34-year-old will be out of the cockpit.

Perez could take on an ambassador role at Red Bull – the same role Daniel Ricciardo rejected after he was sacked earlier in the year – while Lawson gets his chance to fight alongside Verstappen after impressing with RB.

If the Kiwi driver is picked to replace Perez, Isack Hadjar will likely be promoted to the Faenza squad for 2025 alongside Tsunoda – who will embark on his fifth season with the team.