Liam Lawson's Promotion Sparks 2025 Perez Replacement Speculation
- Liam Lawson has been promoted to Red Bull's sister team, RB, for the remaining six races of the 2024 F1 season.
- Christian Horner indicated that Lawson's performance could influence Sergio Perez's future with the team, despite Perez having a contract until the end of 2025.
- The team is evaluating its driver options, with Lawson's upcoming races seen as a critical opportunity for him to prove himself.
In October 2024, Liam Lawson, a New Zealand driver, was promoted to Red Bull's sister team, RB, to compete in the last six races of the Formula 1 season. This move comes after Daniel Ricciardo was removed from his position, allowing Lawson to partner with Yuki Tsunoda. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has expressed that Lawson's performance during these races will be crucial in determining the future of Sergio Perez, who currently holds a contract until the end of 2025. Despite Perez's previous success, finishing second in the drivers' championship last year, he has struggled to secure a win since April 2023 and is significantly trailing championship leader Max Verstappen. Horner acknowledged the pressure on all drivers to perform, hinting that Lawson's results could lead to a reassessment of Perez's role within the team. Horner also mentioned that the team is keeping an eye on other junior drivers, including Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad, as potential future candidates. The upcoming races will serve as a testing ground for Lawson, who will need to demonstrate his capabilities to secure a more permanent position within the Red Bull organization. The United States Grand Prix, scheduled for October 18-20, will mark Lawson's first opportunity to showcase his talent in this new role, making it a pivotal moment for both him and the team as they consider their long-term driver strategy.