Constructors’ champion for the last two seasons, Red Bull is outclassed by McLaren at the end of the season. If Verstappen keeps the lead in the drivers’ standings, Sergio Perez has been in trouble since the start of the year. Eighth overall, the Mexican has not been on a podium for 14 races and the Chinese Grand Prix in April.
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With his contract ending at the end of 2025, Red Bull is already starting to plan Perez’s successor for 2026. Especially since he could take the Mexican’s place before this date if the Austrian team prematurely separates from its number 11.
Many drivers can claim to accompany Verstappen in a few months. A youngster from the academy from Formula 2, one of the two Racing Bulls drivers (Tsunoda or Lawson) or a driver belonging to another team. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko ruled out the latter possibility.
Russell out, Tsunoda and Lawson favorites?
Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, was considering a move to the competition a few days ago. Russell, whose contract at Mercedes ends in 2025 – multiple clauses would lead to an automatic extension – was an option: “It would be stupid not to take this into account” declared the Briton on Sky Sports. Words that did not please Toto Wolff.
Helmut Marko ruled out Russell in an interview with Formel1.de : “Russell is affiliated with Mercedes-Benz and we are now focusing on our juniors. » The “juniors” include Red Bull academy drivers from lower categories but also Racing Bulls drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, Ricciardo’s replacement. “And now let’s see what our juniors or even a Yuki Tsunoda can do. We can also call him a junior. But like I said earlier, how does he compare to a Lawson? » adds Marko.
Also read: Lawson likely to replace Pérez at Red Bull according to Horner
The performances of the two drivers with RB will therefore be closely monitored by the parent team. The Japanese is only 24 years old and has solid experience, being about to conclude his fourth season as a starter. His superiors could, however, be more demanding of him than of younger drivers, in particular his new New Zealand teammate who will have the opportunity to show himself in the last six races of the season.
A young person straight into the deep end?
Formula 1 teams do not hesitate to trust (very) young drivers. Alpine, Mercedes and Haas are the perfect example with the tenure in 2025 of Jack Doohan (21 years old), Kimi Antonelli (18) and Ollie Bearman (19). The recent performances of the latter and of Franco Colapinto (21), who replaces Sargeant at Williams in F1 for the end of the season, have amazed Helmut Marko. « Colapinto, […] who was relatively inexperienced and didn’t have much success in the junior series, although it must be said that he never had the best teams, but what incredible performances he is putting in today” he testifies. « [Colapinto] is undoubtedly a safe bet for the future”.
Performances that could give ideas to Red Bull. If its academy seems less flashy than before, it has promising pilots in its pool. Currently second in F2, Frenchman Isack Hadjar (20 years old) is one of them and could apply for the seat vacated by Pérez. Especially since Marko agrees, “A top team doesn’t necessarily need drivers with three or five years of experience. »
