Former F1 driver Christijan Albers has thrown his weight behind Liam Lawson, believing the young Kiwi driver will replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull for the 2025 season, following a series of underwhelming performances by Perez.
Liam Lawson, who has been patiently waiting in the wings, has been touted as a rising star. After a year on the sidelines, he got a shot in the big leagues when VCARB replaced its underperforming driver with Lawson. Now, speculation is swirling that Lawson could soon find himself promoted to Red Bull’s main team, possibly alongside Max Verstappen.
The decision of who will partner Verstappen next season is a critical one for Red Bull, and consultant Helmut Marko has his sights on both Lawson and the experienced Daniel Ricciardo for the second seat. Despite Perez signing a contract extension until 2025, the Mexican driver has struggled significantly this season, failing to reach the podium in his last 14 races.
Albers, in a recent interview, expressed his belief that keeping Perez would be a risky move for Red Bull, particularly as the team battles to reclaim the Constructors’ Championship.
“Red Bull would be crazy to keep Checo,” Albers stated emphatically. “Then I look at a guy like Lawson, who is hungry, and I just know for sure that he will drive next to Max next year. If that doesn’t happen, then I’ll declare everyone at Red Bull crazy.”
The future of Perez is in doubt, with rumors suggesting that his home race in Mexico could be his last chance to prove himself. Meanwhile, Albers believes that while Perez might still have room to improve, Lawson has shown more potential and deserves a shot at the second Red Bull seat.
“If it were up to me, it’s certain,” Albers said. “But if Lawson now crashes the car into everything and makes idiotic mistakes for five races, then there might be doubts. But if you look at how he is performing now as an underdog, then I think that is very good.”
Lawson’s recent performance at the US Grand Prix certainly impressed. Starting from 19th on the grid due to an engine penalty, Lawson fought his way up to finish in ninth, earning Red Bull some valuable points and outpacing his more experienced teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who finished 14th.
The coming races will be pivotal for Lawson as he looks to solidify his position as the prime candidate for the Red Bull seat in 2025. However, Perez’s struggles have made it clear that Red Bull may not wait much longer to make a decision. The clock is ticking for both drivers, and Red Bull’s next move could shake up the grid for the 2025 season.
