Red Bull told: Don’t be afraid of ‘new Albon or Gasly’ as Lawson vies

Red Bull told: Don’t be afraid of ‘new Albon or Gasly’ as Lawson vies to replace Perez….Read more

Sergio Perez is set to compete in five remaining races with Red Bull before Liam Lawson takes his place, and former F1 driver Christijan Albers has made a bold prediction: he will “eat my shoes” if Lawson isn’t confirmed for the 2025 season.
Following months of speculation about potential changes in Red Bull’s driver lineup, the team showcased a new arrangement during the recent United States Grand Prix, but it was only at their junior team, VCARB, rather than the senior squad. Red Bull has expressed that they have “nothing to lose” by promoting Lawson to the main team for the 2025 season, given his promising performances.
Lawson stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo, who was sidelined due to a hand injury, for the last six races of the current season. In a remarkable display, Lawson showcased his impressive one-lap pace, finishing third fastest in Q1, outpacing Perez by three-tenths of a second. Despite starting from the back of the grid due to a hefty 60-place penalty for engine component replacements, Lawson made an impressive recovery, finishing ninth. In contrast, Perez only managed to progress from ninth to seventh place during the same race.
The numbers add weight to the argument for Lawson’s promotion. In his stint with VCARB, he finished just 10 seconds behind Perez, who was a staggering 40 seconds behind his teammate Max Verstappen in the second Red Bull car. Albers strongly believes that this situation makes a clear case for Lawson to be promoted, emphasizing his conviction with his humorous vow.
Albers stated, “If that doesn’t happen now, I’ll eat my shoe. I mean that seriously.” He praised Lawson for his performance, particularly noting that he was able to drive on a circuit where he lacked prior experience and still managed to outperform Tsunoda in Q1. Lawson’s strategy included driving 37 laps on hard tires, and he consistently clocked lap times that were often quicker than Tsunoda’s, highlighting his potential.
Albers expressed that Lawson should have been given a chance in the Red Bull car much earlier instead of continuing with Perez. He emphasized Lawson’s readiness, noting, “This boy is simply ready for it,” which indicates his confidence in Lawson’s capabilities despite the challenges he faced during the season.
The pundit also mentioned Lawson’s situation: “He is a boy who has not been able to drive for a single season,” referring to Lawson’s time away from competitive racing following his last outing at the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. Despite this hiatus, Lawson showed no signs of rust when he returned to the track in Austin, successfully scoring points on his F1 comeback.
Albers expressed hope that Red Bull wouldn’t shy away from taking a chance on Lawson due to previous experiences with drivers like Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly. He pointed out that while both had potential, they were also products of opportunities provided by the team. Albers believes that Red Bull must be bold in their decisions moving forward, as they truly have “nothing to lose.”
In summary, with Lawson’s recent performances making a compelling case for his promotion, the momentum is shifting away from Perez. As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Red Bull’s management and their decision regarding the 2025 driver lineup. Albers’ confident declaration about eating his shoes underscores the growing consensus that Lawson has earned his place in the senior team, making for an exciting narrative as the season wraps up.