Liam Lawson to Replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull, Reports Suggest

Liam Lawson to Replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull, Reports Suggest………read more

Red Bull Racing is reportedly set to make a significant driver change, with Liam Lawson expected to replace Sergio Perez in the coming days, according to multiple sources.

The shakeup comes after a challenging 2024 season for the team. Despite Max Verstappen securing his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship, Red Bull lost its Constructors’ Championship streak, with McLaren claiming the top spot. While Verstappen excelled, Perez had a disappointing season, finishing eighth in the standings. This was a stark contrast to 2023, where the 34-year-old Mexican driver ended the season as runner-up. Over his 14-year career, Perez has claimed six race wins.

Lawson, a 22-year-old New Zealander, has been part of the Red Bull junior program since 2019 and served as a backup driver for the past two years. This season, he stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull’s sister team, now known as RB (formerly AlphaTauri), gaining 11 F1 starts.

If Lawson moves to Red Bull Racing, his spot at RB is expected to be filled by Isack Hadjar. The 19-year-old French-Algerian driver finished second in the 2024 Formula 2 Championship with Campos Racing and is poised to partner Yuki Tsunoda for the upcoming season.

Perez remains contracted with Red Bull until the end of 2025. However, his future with the team remains uncertain. Options include staying on as a team ambassador or leaving Red Bull entirely.

The anticipated changes signal Red Bull’s intent to rebuild after a tough 2024 season and re-establish dominance in both championships.