Sergio Perez’s future in Formula 1 is under scrutiny, particularly following the impressive performance of Liam Lawson during the United States Grand Prix. While Perez has denied any intentions of announcing his retirement in Mexico, Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, indicated that Perez needs to improve his performance. Lawson, stepping in to replace Daniel Ricciardo for the final six races of the season, has emerged as a strong candidate for the 2025 F1 grid, sparking speculation about whether he might take Perez’s place at Red Bull.
Lawson made a notable comeback, securing two World Championship points and showing a promising one-lap pace during qualifying, where he finished third in Q1, despite a hefty grid penalty. His race engineer commended him for demonstrating his potential, while Lawson himself expressed satisfaction with his performance. Starting from 19th on the grid, he showcased his skill by climbing through the ranks, ultimately finishing in ninth place, ahead of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who struggled during the race.
Marko praised Lawson’s debut, noting his control and adept overtaking maneuvers throughout the race. Both Marko and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner expressed confidence in Lawson’s capabilities, highlighting that he drove like a veteran despite being relatively inexperienced. In contrast, Perez, who started 9th, only managed to finish 6th, raising further concerns about his competitiveness and contributions to the team.
The rumors surrounding Perez’s potential retirement were downplayed by Marko, who emphasized that Perez himself has dismissed these claims. However, he reiterated the need for Perez to step up his performance, especially with strong competition from Ferrari and McLaren. Both teams have drivers consistently scoring significant points, placing additional pressure on Perez to deliver results.
Despite Red Bull outscoring McLaren for the first time since Spain, Ferrari’s successful 1-2 finish has tightened the Constructors’ Championship standings. They are now just eight points behind Red Bull and significantly closing in on McLaren. The upcoming race in Mexico presents a crucial opportunity for Perez, as he hopes to leverage local support to regain his form and enhance his standing within the team as they face increased competition from their rivals.
