Anthony Davidson has expressed that he wouldn’t be surprised if Red Bull Racing decided to replace Sergio Perez with rising star Liam Lawson for the 2025 Formula One season, particularly if they fail to secure the Constructors’ Championship. Davidson pointed out Perez’s significant struggle this season, where he currently sits 204 points behind teammate Max Verstappen. The Mexican driver hasn’t stood on the podium since the Chinese Grand Prix in April, which raises concerns about his performance and future with the team.
Despite signing a two-year contract extension in June, Perez’s recent slump has put him in jeopardy. His performance is critical, as it not only affects his standing but also potentially jeopardizes Red Bull’s chances of winning the Constructors’ title. Davidson highlighted that Lawson, who impressed during the recent race in Austin by starting 19th and finishing 9th, has demonstrated a level of skill that may warrant consideration for the second seat at Red Bull, especially given Perez’s struggles.
Davidson lauded Lawson’s steady improvement throughout the Austin race, noting that even his engineer seemed taken aback by his performance. Initially, the engineer provided guidance on tire management, but as the race progressed, it became evident that Lawson was outperforming his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. At one point, Lawson was lapping significantly faster than Tsunoda, who had already made a pit stop. This performance not only showcased Lawson’s talent but also highlighted the growing gap between him and Perez, intensifying discussions about Red Bull’s lineup.
Reflecting on the situation, Davidson voiced surprise that Red Bull hasn’t taken more decisive action regarding Perez’s disappointing results. He remarked that if the team fails to secure the Constructors’ Championship, it would signal serious concerns within Red Bull about their competitive edge. The disparity between Verstappen and Perez’s performances makes it seem as though they are representing different teams, further compounding the urgency for Red Bull to reassess their driver strategy.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Davidson believes Verstappen will likely maintain his lead over Lando Norris for the Drivers’ Championship, even though he hasn’t won since Barcelona. He noted that while McLaren has a strong chance of winning the Constructors’ Championship, thanks in part to Oscar Piastri’s contributions, Lando’s path to catch Verstappen appears increasingly challenging. The dynamics within Red Bull and the performances of both Lawson and Perez will continue to be a topic of interest as the season progresses.