Liam Lawson And Yuki Tsunoda Considered As Possible Replacements For Sergio Perez At Red Bull

Add as a preferred source on Google

Christian Horner has hinted that Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda might replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull if the team decides to part ways with the Mexican driver. Perez, who extended his contract for two years after a promising start in 2024, faced challenges later in the season. He managed only 49 points in the last 18 races, finishing eighth in the World Drivers' Championship, trailing Max Verstappen by 285 points.

Perez's struggles coincided with Red Bull losing the World Constructors' Championship to McLaren. This has fueled speculation about his potential replacement for the 2025 season. Horner emphasized the importance of having two consistently scoring drivers for the constructors' championship. He suggested that Lawson and Tsunoda could be considered for Perez's seat, pending discussions about future plans.

Horner stated, "Obviously, those discussions will happen between [Perez] and the team." He added that now that the season is over, they will review what went wrong and decide on a suitable path forward. Horner acknowledged Perez's significant contributions to Red Bull, including helping win constructors' championships in 2022 and 2023 and securing five race victories.

Discussing Lawson and Tsunoda, Horner remarked on their performances under challenging conditions. "I think Liam, in challenging circumstances, has done a very good job," he said. He praised both drivers for their race pace and performance, indicating they would be considered if changes were made regarding Perez.

The competition among teams is expected to be fierce next year. Ferrari and McLaren have strong line-ups, while Mercedes will introduce an inexperienced driver. For Red Bull, having two competitive drivers without a significant performance gap is crucial.

Horner mentioned there is no immediate rush to make decisions as they have various options internally. He stressed that Perez remains their driver until further discussions occur. "Sitting here now, he's still our driver," Horner said, indicating that any speculation about next year would be premature until talks with Perez are concluded.