Formula 1: Surprise Sergio Perez replacement emerges if Liam Lawson is not ready

As a seasoned gamer with years of virtual racing under my belt and a keen eye for real-world Formula 1 action, I must admit, the 2025 driver lineup is shaping up to be a thrilling rollercoaster ride! The Red Bull seat saga has been a gripping tale, much like the high-stakes missions in my favorite racing games.

For the 2025 Formula 1 season, while RB’s second seat remains unconfirmed after Sauber confirmed Gabriel Bortoleto to replace Valtteri Bottas, there’s a strong possibility that Sergio Perez may also lose his position at Red Bull.

In essence, for the year 2025, about half of the Red Bull racing seat lineup remains unfilled, leaving open several potential options for filling those spots.

Ever since Liam Lawson took over from Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull (RB) approximately two months back, speculations have been rife that he might step in for Sergio Perez next season. Yet, there are doubts about whether the New Zealand driver is prepared to advance to Red Bull so swiftly.

Due to Red Bull’s significant decline since 2023, it’s probable that the 22-year-old driver will find himself in a tough fight for the title against Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes in the upcoming championship.

I’ve heard whispers that due to some uncertainties, Red Bull seems to be casting their net wider in the hunt for a new racer. A name popping up frequently is Franco Colapinto – he’s definitely one to watch.

Williams and James Vowles are making all-out efforts to secure an racing seat for the Argentinian driver in 2025, as they believe he truly deserves one. Regrettably, with limited options left and the high cost of breaking his existing contract, a transfer to the Red Bull group might not be feasible.

An unlikely driver change?

It appears that Carlos Sainz Jr. could potentially be a candidate for Red Bull, should they choose not to retain Perez, deem Lawson unfit, or find Colapinto too costly.

Previously, Sainz faced a challenging conclusion during his stint with Toro Rosso about nine years back. However, this isn’t the first instance where he’s been linked with a premier position. Rumors circulated that he could potentially replace Perez in 2025, but those speculations were put to rest when Perez extended his contract a few months ago.

Although Red Bull isn’t publicly considering Sainz at the moment, there’s a good chance this situation might pick up speed within the next few weeks.

Vowles has stated that Williams won’t likely compete strongly in 2025, as he anticipates them to be among the leading teams in 2026 when new F1 rules and guidelines take effect. Consequently, they might consider lending Spanish driver Colapinto to Red Bull for a single season to partner Alex Albon permanently, which could be beneficial for both parties.

Sainz has demonstrated his skill as a leading racer this year by earning several victories, making him one of the best drivers on the track. In fact, aside from Max Verstappen, he’s the only driver who has claimed wins in each of the last three seasons (and even the two preceding that). It’s clear that he would be a significant improvement to Perez, who seems to be declining in performance.

This action would be advantageous for everyone, since Lawson could spend another year refining his skills at RB, Sainz could remain with a top-tier team, and Colapinto could race full-time in the year 2025 while he continues to find an opening for 2026.

Furthermore, Should Lawson move to replace Perez, Red Bull’s junior driver Isack Hadjar might further progress in his development and potentially advance to Formula 1.

There are many components that need to fall into place, and working out the specifics of this deal could take some time before it becomes a tangible outcome. It’s possible that we might not reach a conclusion until the final months of this year.

2024-11-07 20:10