Red Bull Racing has reportedly finalized its driver lineup for the 2025 Formula 1 season. According to recent reports from German media, the Austrian team has decided to part ways with Mexican driver Sergio Pérez and replace him with Liam Lawson, the talented young driver from New Zealand. The official announcement is expected to be made in the coming days, confirming a change that had been widely speculated due to Pérez’s underwhelming performance throughout the 2024 season.
Pérez’s performance in 2024 influenced the decision
Since joining Red Bull at the end of 2020 after leaving Racing Point, Sergio Pérez has experienced a mixed tenure with the team. Despite flashes of brilliance, Pérez struggled to match the pace of his teammate, four-time world champion Max Verstappen. In 2024, the gap between the two drivers became even more glaring.
The statistics from the 2024 season clearly reflect the performance imbalance:
- Max Verstappen scored 437 points, securing his fourth consecutive title.
- Sergio Pérez, on the other hand, managed only 152 points, far from the front of the standings.
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— Portal RBR Brasil ???????????????? (@BRredbullracing) December 17, 2024
Sky Sports acaba de cravar que Sérgio Perez está fora da Red Bull Racing e será substituído por Liam Lawson em 2025!
O anúncio será feito ainda hoje !! pic.twitter.com/BBpqAc5Xgz
This discrepancy significantly affected Red Bull’s performance in the Constructors’ Championship. While Ferrari and McLaren continued to improve, Red Bull fell behind and finished third, a disappointing result for a team accustomed to dominating the competition.
Decline in form and rising speculation
During the early stages of the 2024 season, Pérez delivered relatively stable performances, collecting valuable points. However, as the championship progressed, his inconsistency in qualifying and race results became more evident, fueling internal doubts about his long-term future with the team.
At the same time, Liam Lawson’s role as a reserve driver drew increasing attention. His promising performances and steady improvement throughout the season solidified him as the leading candidate to step up to Red Bull’s main lineup.
Liam Lawson: Red Bull’s rising star
Liam Lawson, 22 years old, is one of the brightest prospects from Red Bull’s driver development program. The young New Zealander made his Formula 1 debut in 2023, stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo at the RB team (formerly AlphaTauri) after Ricciardo’s injury.
In 2024, Lawson secured a permanent seat at RB and delivered impressive results, particularly in the United States Grand Prix and São Paulo Grand Prix, where he finished in the points and demonstrated exceptional racecraft.
Liam Lawson’s key stats in 2024:
- Competed in 6 races towards the end of the season.
- Scored 4 points, with strong performances earning praise from the Red Bull leadership.
Lawson’s promotion to Red Bull for 2025 is seen as a strategic decision, offering a fresh dynamic to the team alongside Verstappen. His rapid adaptation and ability to perform under pressure make him a natural choice for the team’s future ambitions.
The impact of the change on Formula 1
The departure of Sergio Pérez and the promotion of Liam Lawson have already created ripples in the Formula 1 driver market. While Lawson secures a highly coveted seat, Pérez’s future remains uncertain. At 34 years old, the Mexican driver is still an attractive option for mid-grid teams such as Williams, Haas, or even Aston Martin.
The move also opens up a vacancy at RB, where French driver Isack Hadjar, the 2024 Formula 2 runner-up, is considered the frontrunner. Hadjar, a member of the Red Bull junior academy, impressed with strong performances in F2 and is viewed as ready to take the next step into Formula 1.
Reactions from fans and media
The news of Pérez’s likely dismissal has sparked divided opinions among fans and media alike. On social media, the discussion has been intense:
- Pérez supporters expressed disappointment, emphasizing his contributions to Red Bull over the years.
- Lawson fans, on the other hand, celebrated his promotion as a well-deserved reward for his hard work and talent.
Experts have largely supported Red Bull’s decision, citing the need for consistency and performance at the highest level. Despite Pérez’s achievements, the team could no longer afford to lose ground to rivals Ferrari and McLaren.
Why Liam Lawson is the right choice
Liam Lawson represents a new generation of drivers ready to face major challenges early in their careers. His impressive adaptability in Formula 1 and his ability to deliver strong results in less competitive machinery were key factors in Red Bull’s decision.
Red Bull’s history of success with young drivers—such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen—further supports this strategy. By promoting Lawson, the team continues its tradition of nurturing internal talent to secure long-term success.
Sergio Pérez’s legacy at Red Bull
Despite the decision to part ways, Sergio Pérez leaves behind a meaningful legacy at Red Bull. Over his four seasons with the team, Pérez achieved notable results:
- 5 victories, including memorable wins in Monaco and Azerbaijan.
- 29 podium finishes, contributing significantly to Red Bull’s Constructors’ Championships.
- 3 pole positions and crucial performances in key races.
- A 2023 runner-up finish in the Drivers’ Championship, marking the peak of his career with Red Bull.
However, his lack of wins in 2024 and the growing gap to Verstappen proved to be decisive factors in the team’s decision.
What to expect from Verstappen and Lawson in 2025
The partnership between Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson is expected to be one of the most intriguing dynamics of the 2025 season. Verstappen remains the undisputed leader of the team, while Lawson has the opportunity to learn and develop alongside one of the most dominant drivers in the sport’s history.
For Red Bull, the challenge will be regaining their supremacy in the Constructors’ Championship after losing ground to Ferrari and McLaren in 2024. The combination of Verstappen’s experience and Lawson’s youthful energy could prove to be the perfect formula for success.
Looking ahead to Red Bull’s new chapter
With the official announcement anticipated soon, the decision to replace Sergio Pérez with Liam Lawson marks a significant turning point for Red Bull Racing. The team is banking on renewal and consistency to reassert its dominance in Formula 1 while paving the way for a promising new talent to rise.
