Sergio Perez’s Red Bull dream has come to an inevitable end after a disastrous 2024 season, where the veteran driver was overshadowed by Max Verstappen’s dominance and cost the team their coveted Constructors’ Championship. With Liam Lawson stepping into the spotlight, questions abound: Is Red Bull setting themselves up for success or flirting with failure?
The Fall of Perez: From Promising Start to Painful Exit
The numbers tell a brutal story. Max Verstappen, the relentless Dutchman, clinched his fourth F1 Drivers’ Championship in 2024 with a staggering 437 points, while Sergio Perez managed only 152 points, most of which came in the season’s opening six races. The gulf in performance ultimately cost Red Bull the Constructors’ title and sealed Perez’s fate.
Former McLaren chief mechanic Marc Priestley didn’t mince words:
“The only surprise with the Sergio Perez situation is that it’s taken this long for a decision to be made.”
Priestley believes the delay in cutting Perez loose highlights Red Bull’s internal struggles. “Red Bull never had a natural successor for Sergio’s seat. If they had, he’d have been gone much earlier,” he added.
A Failed Experiment: The Ricciardo Misstep
One could argue that Red Bull pinned its hopes on Daniel Ricciardo as Perez’s successor. But that plan unraveled spectacularly after Ricciardo’s underwhelming comeback in 2023, compounded by a hand injury following a crash during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.
Red Bull persisted with Ricciardo through 2024, but his performance failed to justify their faith. Substitute Liam Lawson, who impressed during his temporary stint, had already demonstrated he was ready to shake things up. Yet, Red Bull clung to Ricciardo—a decision Priestley deemed “inexplicable” given his lack of pace.
Lawson’s Big Break: A Risky Bet on the Future
Now, with Perez out and Lawson promoted, the young Kiwi has been handed a golden opportunity. But Priestley warns that Red Bull’s choice might be shortsighted:
“Bringing in Liam Lawson as a number two driver might turn out to be quite short-sighted, as Verstappen could be elsewhere in 2026.”
While Lawson showed promise, some, including Priestley, argue he hasn’t displayed the electrifying talent Red Bull typically demands.
“When Max Verstappen came into F1, he made people sit on the edge of their seats. I don’t think you can say the same for Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda,” he said.
Red Bull’s Patience Paradox
Red Bull’s treatment of drivers has often been ruthlessly inconsistent. They’ve axed underperformers like Pierre Gasly and Nyck de Vries without hesitation, yet shown remarkable leniency toward Ricciardo, Perez, and even Yuki Tsunoda, whose performances have been inconsistent at best.
How they approach Lawson’s development will be critical. As the 22-year-old steps into one of F1’s most coveted—and pressure-filled—seats, he must contend with Verstappen, a teammate known for dismantling careers. Perez is merely the latest scalp in Verstappen’s growing collection.
The Double-Edged Sword of Being Max’s Teammate
Partnering Verstappen at Red Bull is both a privilege and a peril. The team’s relentless pursuit of success means the spotlight will shine brightly on Lawson, but so too will Verstappen’s shadow.
Lawson’s immediate challenge is clear: compete with Verstappen to secure his place in the team. Yet, with Verstappen’s relentless dominance, even a strong showing may not be enough to escape being branded as just another number two.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Priestley explained. “Lawson has the opportunity of a lifetime, but he’s up against the best driver of this generation. It’s sink or swim.”
Red Bull’s Gamble: Will It Pay Off?
Red Bull’s decision to replace Perez with Lawson is a bold move, but whether it will secure their future success remains to be seen. With Verstappen’s long-term plans uncertain and the team’s history of cutthroat decision-making, Lawson enters a high-stakes environment where performance is the only currency.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the battle for Red Bull’s future has just begun.