Formula 1: Red Bull announcement opens up two seats, not just one

As a seasoned Formula One enthusiast with decades of racing under my belt, I must admit that the ever-evolving driver lineups keep me on my toes! The latest news about Sergio Perez’s departure from Red Bull has certainly stirred up quite a storm.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been eagerly anticipating news about Sergio Perez’s future with Red Bull in the 2025 F1 season. However, my excitement was dampened when the team officially announced that despite a contract extension until 2026, Perez won’t be racing for them next year.

By the end of the 2024 season, it seemed that the lineup of drivers for the 2025 season was almost set in stone, as Liam Lawson had taken over from Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull.

However, Lawson’s appointment as Racing Boss (RB) for the 2025 season wasn’t finalized, which suggested that Perez could potentially be replaced following the 2024 season due to his persistent drop in performance levels.

As a result, Perez’s departure announcement means there are two open seats in the 2025 Formula 1 driver lineup.

Now, Red Bull faces the task of finding a suitable teammate for their four-time world champion driver, Max Verstappen. There’s strong speculation that the position previously held by a seven-time Grand Prix winner could be taken on by Lawson.

In essence, Yuki Tsunoda remains the sole alternative candidate, implying that Red Bull (previously known as AlphaTauri) now faces the task of filling another seat due to this change. Tsunoda has been a full-time racer for the team since 2021. Lawson has made eleven appearances for the team, starting from 2023.

2024 Formula 2 second-place finisher Isack Hadjar is thought to stand as the primary beneficiary, given his anticipated transition to Formula 1 following his successful four-win campaign with Campos Racing in Formula 2.

This year-and-a-half-old racer hailing from France and Algeria, who’s currently part of the Red Bull Junior Racing squad, is anticipated to team up with a 24-year-old Japanese driver in the upcoming season.

2025’s Formula 1 season will kick off at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia on March 16th (Sunday). This year’s schedule features an unprecedented 24 races, concluding with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on December 7th (Sunday).

2024-12-19 14:32

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