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Red Bull’s Call: Why Carlos Sainz Wasn’t Chosen to Replace Sergio Perez

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
December 19, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Red Bull’s Call: Why Carlos Sainz Wasn’t Chosen to Replace Sergio Perez

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 29: Race winner Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Second placed Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari talk in the press conference after the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 29, 2022 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202205290683 // Usage for editorial use only //

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has shed light on the pivotal decision to extend Sergio Perez’s contract earlier in 2024, effectively closing the door on a potential reunion with Carlos Sainz. As the dust settles on a turbulent season, Red Bull’s driver choice for 2025 is now in the spotlight, with Liam Lawson expected to replace the outgoing Perez.

Sainz, who was available following Ferrari’s blockbuster move to sign Lewis Hamilton, was seen as a prime candidate to return to Red Bull. However, the team opted to stick with Perez at a time when the Mexican driver was second in the championship standings. In hindsight, that decision left Red Bull in a precarious position, as Perez’s performance plummeted in the latter half of the season.


A Missed Opportunity with Sainz

Sainz’s availability created a buzz in the paddock, especially as he delivered standout performances in 2024. Despite his appeal as a proven race winner with a history at Red Bull’s junior team, the decision to retain Perez shut down the opportunity. Sainz ultimately signed a multi-term contract with Williams, marking a surprising move for the talented Spaniard.

“Carlos is a great driver, and we’ve seen that obviously this year at some times,” Horner told Sky. “But at the point we extended Checo’s contract, you have to remember that he was second in the world championship and finishing on the podium in the first four out of five races.”

Sainz’s pairing with Verstappen was seen as a potentially explosive combination, given their tense history as teammates at Toro Rosso in 2015. However, Red Bull’s decision underscores its focus on team dynamics and long-term strategy over short-term gains.


Perez’s Decline Leaves Red Bull Vulnerable

Perez’s form took a nosedive after a strong start to the season, finishing a distant eighth in the Drivers’ Championship. His struggles, coupled with Verstappen’s dominant fourth title win, exposed a massive performance gap within the team. This disparity played a significant role in Red Bull’s drop to third in the Constructors’ standings, costing them tens of millions in prize money.


Liam Lawson vs. Yuki Tsunoda: The Red Bull Dilemma

As Perez departs, Red Bull faces another critical decision: choosing between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda to partner Verstappen in 2025. Lawson, who impressed during his stints with Red Bull’s sister team RB, appears to be the frontrunner despite his limited F1 experience.

“Essentially, it’ll be a choice between Yuki and Liam,” Horner confirmed. “Both have got strong credentials. Liam has done a lot of testing with us behind the scenes this year as well and has driven very well in the six or seven races that he’s had.”

While Tsunoda brings experience, Lawson’s fearless racing style and adaptability have caught the attention of Red Bull’s decision-makers. Horner emphasized that the team is carefully evaluating all data before making a final call.


Looking Ahead: Red Bull’s Rebuilding Phase

Red Bull’s 2025 lineup represents a chance to recalibrate after a challenging 2024 season. Whether it’s Lawson or Tsunoda, the chosen driver will face the monumental task of keeping pace with Verstappen, one of the sport’s most dominant figures. The team will also need to close the gap to rivals like McLaren and Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings.

By passing on Sainz and investing in its junior talent pipeline, Red Bull has doubled down on its long-standing philosophy of nurturing young drivers. Whether this approach pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the pressure is on for the team to deliver in 2025.

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