Successor already fixed
Out probably sealed by Sergio Perez at Red Bull
Updated 12/17/2024 – 10:45 amReading time: 2 minutes
There are apparently some changes at Red Bull next season. A young driver will take over for Sergio Perez.
Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez’s time at Red Bull is apparently coming to an end. According to information from “Sky”, the Mexican will leave the racing team after the current season. “Bild” also reports on Perez’s exit. His successor has already been determined: According to “Sky” and “Bild”, Liam Lawson will take over the cockpit alongside world champion Max Verstappen from 2025.
Lawson, who was a reserve driver at Red Bull last season and later stepped in as a regular driver for sister team Racing Bulls, would thus have the chance to prove himself alongside the three-time world champion.
The 22-year-old New Zealander has impressed with his courageous and carefree driving style in his previous Formula 1 appearances. He made his debut at the Dutch Grand Prix in 2023 when he replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo in the then Alphatauri. In six races last season, Lawson collected a total of four points.
According to Sky, Perez is leaving Red Bull despite his two-year contract being extended in the summer. Although the 34-year-old had secured a long-term future in the team, his performance fell short of expectations. Compared to his teammate Verstappen, he showed driving weaknesses and couldn’t even come close to keeping up with his pace. Perez only finished eighth in the drivers’ standings – a whopping 285 points behind the Dutchman. As a result, Red Bull also missed the chance to win the constructors’ championship and had to settle for third place.
Red Bull Motorsport boss Helmut Marko had already announced that Liam Lawson would occupy one of the four cockpits at Red Bull or Racing Bulls in 2025.