“We need two drivers to score points,” insists Marko, quoted by DAZN. “Max is more than 200 points ahead of Sergio in the drivers’ championship. For our staff, it is a disappointment because they will not receive their end-of-year bonus which depends on our final position in the manufacturers’ ranking.”.
The point of no return would therefore have been reached. RBR brushed aside the rumors announcing that Pérez was saved thanks to his sponsors and Liberty Media, the owner of F1 being careful not to jeopardize the Mexican GP. “Checo” should therefore compete in its last Grand Prix with Milton Keynes in Abu Dhabi in a few days.
In Qatar, Horner found no excuses for the man who was his protégé. “I will let Pérez draw his own conclusions,” says the boss of RBR. “No one is forcing him to stay or leave. It’s obviously not a good situation for him right now.”
Lawson as a good little soldier
According to the various echoes received at Losail, it is Liam Lawson who holds the rope to succeed Pérez at Red Bull. Certainly, the Kiwi was kept in check by Yuki Tsunoda at Racing Bulls. But he also scored some highlights, notably in Austin and Mexico. With Lawson, Red Bull would prepare the succession of Verstappen, the Dutchman being assured of not suffering any challenge from the New Zealander who will play the faithful lieutenants while biding his time in a few years.
Ferrari still wants to believe it: “We will give everything in the hunt for the McLaren”
Tsunoda is as deserving, if not more, of promotion at Milton Keynes as Lawson. The Japanese has finally reached maturity, even if he still has a few outbursts on the radio. But at RBR, we fear that the Nippon will overshadow the all-powerful Max who had already vetoed a return of Carlos Sainz to the fold. If the red bull were to turn its back on him, Tsunoda could possibly count on the support of Honda to bounce back at Aston Martin.
There is less uncertainty around Isack Hadjar who will test the Red Bull in Abu Dhabi. The Frenchman, who is just half a point behind Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of the F2 finale at Yas Marina, is set to be promoted to Visa Cash in 2025. At one point courted by the winged bull, Franco Colapinto is said to be out -game after being involved in accidents in the last three GPs.
