Formula 1: The perfect Ricciardo replacement might not be Liam Lawson

As a seasoned F1 enthusiast with a penchant for spotting rising talents, I can confidently say that the 2025 Red Bull lineup is shaping up to be a thrilling prospect. With the rumors swirling about Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, and Franco Colapinto vying for the second seat, it’s an exciting time indeed!

It appears there’s a lot of speculation about who will race alongside Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull during the 2025 Formula 1 season. Helmut Marko and Christian Horner are still considering their choices, so we might be in store for an unexpected pick during the offseason.

Since the commencement of the 2024 racing season, numerous people have advocated for Liam Lawson to take over from Daniel Ricciardo. This suggestion came true following the Singapore Grand Prix. Now, with Sergio Perez’s Red Bull tenure in question, there is some optimism that Lawson might partner Max Verstappen instead of Tsunoda in the 2025 season.

As we approach the final part of the 2024 racing season, the choice for RB’s second driver will carry significant weight. Currently, the top contenders appear to be Lawson, Isack Hadjar, and more recently, Franco Colapinto.

James Vowles is trying to get Colapinto on the grid.

Despite Williams having settled their roster for the coming period with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz Jr., Colapinto’s impressive performance as stand-in for Logan Sargeant has created quite a stir within the paddock. It is evident that he merits a full-time position in Formula 1 next year, based on his strong showing so far.

It appears that Vowles has been trying to put the 21-year-old Argentine driver into a racing seat and is prepared to lend him. There are whispers that Red Bull may be considering him as well. If Perez gets dismissed and Lawson gets promoted, Colapinto could potentially become a strong candidate for Red Bull’s sister team.

During the Mexico Grand Prix’s second practice session, the Sky Sports broadcast team directly questioned the Williams team leader about persistent rumors. Yet, Vowles remained vague, neither confirming nor denying any suspicions. Meanwhile, Colapinto is still making a strong case for himself by delivering consistent performances.

This continuous progression might pose a substantial quandary for the Red Bull team, considering their preference for internal selections when it comes to choosing their drivers, thanks to a robust driver academy they possess. Hadjar’s impressive performance so far in Formula 2 increases the likelihood of his driving for RB in the future.

If Lawson is advanced to Perez’s Red Bull position, it might lead to a competition for the remaining RB seat between Hadjar and Colapinto. Both have demonstrated potential in Formula 2 and Formula 1 respectively.

2024-10-28 13:32