Sergio Pérez may well not compete in the 2025 Formula 1 world championship season under the colors of Red Bull Racing.
While Red Bull has already secured the drivers' title with Max Verstappen, the team must now turn its attention to the 2025 F1 season. Dr Helmut Marko admits that retaining the constructors' crown against rivals like McLaren or Ferrari now seems “practically impossible”.
One of the major challenges for Red Bull will be to choose a competitive teammate to accompany Verstappen, the new quadruple world champion. This decision, according to Marko, will be made after the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Persistent rumors suggest Franco Colapinto, rookie at Williams, as a possible option. Christian Horner, seen several times at Williams F1, fuels these speculations. However, Liam Lawson remains the favorite for the seat.
Helmut Marko, when asked about Sergio Pérez's future on the sidelines of this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix, responded evasively:
“It will be decided after Abu Dhabi. The shareholders will have the necessary data to decide. But Checo is acting as if it was going to stay.”
This uncertainty visibly irritates Marko, who insists on the need for a solid duo in 2025: “We cannot repeat 2024 in 2025. We need a good duo at Red Bull and Racing Bulls.”
Racing Bulls: a new strategy for Pérez?
Sergio Pérez, backed by influential sponsors, could find refuge in the Racing Bulls team, which will become the official name of Red Bull's sister team in 2025. This plan would allow Pérez and his sponsors to remain in the orbit Red Bull, while leaving room for a new driver in the main team.
Competition promises to be tough in 2025
Beyond driver issues, Helmut Marko expects an intense battle for the championship next year. McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes seem ready to compete seriously.
In Las Vegas, Mercedes surprised by dominating all sessions, although Red Bull won the championship: “Mercedes still has to prove its consistency. The conditions in Las Vegas were special. Let's wait and see how they perform in the last two races.”
Ferrari, for its part, will rely on its new explosive duo: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Marko noted that Leclerc could be a major asset, but questions the harmony within the team: “Ferrari will be stronger, but I doubt they will achieve perfect harmony between their drivers.”
Red Bull is therefore entering a crucial phase of transition. Between the management of its line-up and the rise of its competitors, the 2025 season could be decisive in maintaining its domination in F1.
