Yes, it really happened: Perez was fired by Red Bull, who already replaced him. And meanwhile Verstappen admits: “I’ve had talks” – MOW

Sand everyone was now waiting for Checo Perez’s dismissal from Red Bull, the team for which he raced from 2021 to today and with which he shared both many successes and, above all, multiple disappointments. Now that it’s official, however, everything is more real: he finds himself a driver who gives up, despite the great promises of the first season in Milton Keyneswhen the Mexican helped Max Verstappen win his first world championship by defending him from all Mercedes’ attacks. An incredible potential that at a certain point ceased to exist, which transformed Verstappen’s perfect ally into a counterproductive burden for the team, which if in 2023 was luckier, in 2024 it lost the world championship precisely because of non-existence of Checo Perez’s competitiveness. And the story of the Mexican is sad, because it is reminiscent of one of the most central mantras in the world of motorsport: One day you’re number one, the next you’re nobody. At the same time, however, the driver from Guadalajara already seems busy looking for a contract for 2025 in the endurance world, with the main objective being the Prancing Horse – which however already has the Hypercar lineup confirmed for next season.

CAbout ten hours after the news of his dismissal, the news of his replacement also arrived, which in any case did not surprise anyone: the very young Liam Lawson will team up with Verstappen from next year. The New Zealander has been in the Red Bull supply chain since the days of the preparatory categories and, after having also tasted the world of covered wheels (with the Ferrari of the AF Corse team in the DTM) he convinced Helmut Marko 100%, who immediately put him first position for any possible opportunity in Formula 1. Once he arrives to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, Lawson has conquered everyone and is now ready to confirm himself with the big boys. Of course, the weight on his shoulders should not be underestimated, because every teammate of the four-time world champion has felt the comparison a lot and often found himself in unpleasant situations (from Ricciardo himself to Alex Albon, passing through Pierre Gasly). but the premises give him the favorite among all, because the mental strength demonstrated by the driver born in 2002 is certainly a point in his favor.

E Who ends up in Racing Bulls? With the checkmate of Red Bull who promoted Liam Lawson, the seat of the satellite team of the Milton Keynes bull remains empty. Just when everything seemed already decided for Franco Colapinto, here it is an opportunity opens up to continue his career in Formula 1 (also because the world championship now needs interests in South Americaconsidering that the loss of Perez has already caused more than 200 thousand unfollows on the Red Bull Instagram account). The same goes for Isack Hadjar, the protégé of the Red Bull Junior Team in Formula 2, who lost the title to Gabriel Bortoleto but who demonstrated that he knows what he’s doing – even if imagining him in Formula 1 is perhaps a little difficult given the little experience of French.

In all of this then, we must not forget the role of Yuki Tsunoda, who found the biggest door of his career closed in his face after the trust placed in him for the post-season tests: he was also expected to be in the running for Perez’s seat. And instead the Japanese will remain in Faenza, with the team with which he made his debut and with which he really seems destined to remain forever – unless all sorts of things happen in 2025. At Red Bull, however, no one can afford to stay calm, because Helmut Marko has another ace up his sleeve: Arvid Lindblad. Born in 2007, the little British driver already has an impressive palmares and with his coming of age in August and his debut in Formula 2 in 2025 he risks being a real threat for the rest of the Milton Keynes athletes, because at the top seems to really like it.

CThe one who can continue to rest assured is Max Verstappen, who after his fourth world championship win can proclaim himself the king of Red Bull. Indeed, if there is anyone who has the upper hand it is the Dutchman, who during 2024 he did not hide from meeting representatives of the rest of the Formula 1 teams, first of all Toto Wolff: “Yes, we met and talked seriously” revealed the multiple world champion, confirming the rumors of the contract with stellar figures that were circulating some time ago. “At the at the same time I am very loyal to my team, with whom I have always got along very well. So the ongoing dialogue with Mercedes is basically constructive, but it’s not a problem,” added the Dutchman. And with 2024 opening with Red Bull at the center of attention, with accusations against Christian Horner for harassing an employee, it seems right to see its official closure with Milton Keynes still in the headlines: now it’s Liam Lawson’s turn, with the esteem of Verstappen, the inquisitive eyes of Helmut Marko and the envy of Tsunoda. Who knows what he will be capable of.