With Red Bull racing full-throttle toward the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, Sergio Perez’s future hangs by a thread after consistently being outpaced by his teammate Max Verstappen. Now, after a lackluster Mexico City Grand Prix, rumors are swirling about who could step into his seat—and how soon it might happen.
The odds are out, and Red Bull’s backup driver Liam Lawson leads the charge as the top pick, with bookies placing him at 1/2 odds to take over. The young Kiwi showcased serious potential at the Mexican GP, seamlessly stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo and making a case that he’s ready to roll with the big boys. “Lawson’s performance shows he’s got the chops to handle the Red Bull pressure cooker,” say insiders, and his swift adaptation could be exactly what the team needs.
Right behind Lawson, we’ve got Yuki Tsunoda, who’s evolved past his accident-prone early years and now brings solid experience—and a Honda connection that ties him neatly to Red Bull. Though often overshadowed, Tsunoda’s odds sit at 3/1, and if the Red Bull brass decides Lawson isn’t quite ready, Tsunoda might finally get his shot.
If Red Bull wants to keep the youth movement rolling, Isack Hadjar is another dark horse in the mix, at 6/1 odds. Hadjar’s currently dominating the F2 circuit, showing raw speed and adaptability that could translate to F1 success. The Red Bull academy has a reputation for fast-tracking talent, and with F2 stars rising to F1’s challenge, Hadjar might just get a golden ticket.
Other names hovering on the edge of contention include Daniel Ricciardo, with 10/1 odds to make a dramatic return after being temporarily sidelined, and Franco Colapinto (20/1), a promising talent without a confirmed seat for 2025. Ricciardo’s familiarity with Red Bull could earn him a late-season call-up, especially if Perez falters again in Brazil or Las Vegas.
For Red Bull, the time to act may be now. They’re sitting 54 points behind McLaren in the Constructors’ standings, despite Verstappen’s jaw-dropping 362-point season haul. If Perez can’t level up fast, the whispers about his replacement will only get louder. In fact, odds are currently 4/6 that Perez could be out before the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Las Vegas (2/1) and Qatar (4/1) potentially marking his last outings.
Red Bull’s strategy has always been ruthless, and they know what it takes to win. As the season winds down, Perez’s grip on his seat is slipping, and the contenders are lining up. For now, all eyes are on Sao Paulo—Perez’s final chance to prove he can still run with the bull.
