Some Red Bull staff wanted ‘world-class’ 27-podium F1 driver to replace Sergio Perez instead of Liam Lawson

Red Bull Racing have found themselves in a mess of their own making at the beginning of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

For years, it’s been clear that Red Bull’s car has become more and more difficult to drive, with only Max Verstappen capable of harnessing its true potential.

Unfortunately, that negatively impacted Sergio Perez, and after four years with the team, he was let go after a disastrous 2024 campaign.

Perez’s exit was confirmed by Red Bull after finishing 285 points behind Verstappen and Liam Lawson was promoted in his place.

Unfortunately, Lawson was afforded the same time as Perez and two race weekends into his Red Bull career, he’s been replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.

Tsunoda has received plenty of warnings ahead of his debut at his home race in Japan, but will have the confidence that he’s got what it takes to tame what’s proved to be an almost untamable car.

However, it appears as though the decision to hire Lawson initially wasn’t unanimously agreed upon by staff within the Red Bull hierarchy.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Some Red Bull staff wanted Carlos Sainz to replace Sergio Perez this season

Red Bull knew a change was needed by the end of the 2024 season, such was the gulf between Verstappen and Perez.

However, throughout last season, there was no standout candidate within the Red Bull setup to replace the Mexican.

Daniel Ricciardo was initially brought in by Christian Horner as an option, but he never showed the required form needed to return to the Red Bull team.

Tsunoda was initially dismissed by Red Bull before they u-turned on that decision after Lawson’s difficult start to 2025, but it never felt like any drivers outside of the team’s roster were firmly considered.

Red Bull held an interest in Franco Colapinto, but that never materialised; however, a report from the Daily Mail has suggested that some staff within Red Bull wanted the team to move for Carlos Sainz.

Sainz was a free agent after losing his seat to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari and has eventually ended up at Williams.

However, some Red Bull employees were ‘up for’ bringing the Spaniard in, although Verstappen’s camp have always had reservations about Sainz.

There were tensions between the two families after their time together at Toro Rosso, with suggestions that Jos Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Sr. ‘did not get on’.

READ MORE: Williams star Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

Carlos Sainz considered ‘world-class’ by Martin Brundle after impressive Formula 1 career

Sainz was given his break in Formula 1 by Red Bull in their sister Toro Rosso team in 2015 alongside Verstappen.

Just over a year later, the Dutchman had been promoted into the Red Bull team and Sainz was looking at his options elsewhere in the paddock.

Moves to Renault, McLaren and Ferrari followed and he’s added four Grand Prix victories and 27 podiums to his CV.

Martin Brundle described Sainz as ‘world-class’ in the past, and he’s one of the most talented drivers on the grid outside of the leading teams.

Sainz has struggled to adapt at Williams, and that might have also happened had he joined Red Bull this winter too.

The Williams should be an easier car to adapt to than the RB21, but the Red Bull is inherently faster if any driver can master it.