Perez’s performance has been below expectations since the contract extension announcement, earning only 11 points in four races. This puts him behind drivers like Nico Hulkenberg and Lance Stroll, and well behind his teammate Max Verstappen, who has amassed 86 points. Perez has also struggled to outqualify Verstappen this season.
Previously, Red Bull could afford Perez’s occasional lag behind Verstappen. However, with McLaren and Mercedes closing in the constructors’ championship, Red Bull now considers Perez’s form “unsustainable” and is reconsidering his position.
A recent filming day at Silverstone could be pivotal for Perez’s future. Red Bull tested Liam Lawson, a promising young driver, in their RB20 car. Despite using demonstration tires, Lawson completed 33 laps, allowing the team to evaluate his potential similar to how they assessed Daniel Ricciardo last year under more favorable conditions.
Lawson’s emergence as a contender for a Red Bull seat may surprise some, especially since Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda retained their positions this year without a clear performance advantage between them. Red Bull now sees Lawson, a 22-year-old from New Zealand, as a viable option due to his successful track record across various racing categories.
Lawson’s achievements include podium finishes in ADAC F4, winning the Toyota Racing Series, and strong performances in Formula 3 and Formula 2. He also stood in admirably for Ricciardo at AlphaTauri in 2023, showcasing his talent in races like Singapore, where he reached Q3 and finished ninth.
Since then, Lawson has served as a reserve driver for Red Bull, contributing significantly to simulator testing and setup work in Milton Keynes. Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, has hinted at the possibility of promoting Lawson to the main team as early as 2025, or even sooner if Perez’s struggles continue.
While Lawson hasn’t yet proven to be a top-tier talent, his consistency and potential make him a compelling candidate for Red Bull. Whether he ultimately secures the seat remains uncertain, but Red Bull is leaving no stone unturned in evaluating his abilities.
