Dr. Helmut Marko aims to replace Sergio Perez with a younger driver in Red Bull’s 2025 F1 lineup alongside Verstappen.
Dr. Helmut Marko has outlined his vision for Red Bull in 2025, which sees Max Verstappen crowned F1 champion once again—but not with Sergio Perez as his teammate.
The Red Bull advisor has clearly stated that, in an ideal scenario, one of Red Bull’s juniors would partner Verstappen in next year’s RB21.
Liam Lawson, who joins the “sister” RB F1 team for the final six Grands Prix of the season after stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo, has the opportunity to prove he’s worthy of replacing Perez. This audition, acknowledged by both Marko and Christian Horner, inevitably puts pressure back on Sergio Perez.
This comes despite Perez being offered a new contract in June—effectively securing his seat for 2025, with an option for 2026—but it seems Red Bull might find it easier to trigger exit clauses in this new agreement.
This is the second time during this autumn break that Marko has hinted Perez’s days might be numbered.
Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, Marko emphasized, “Perez will be part of the evaluation we’ll have at the end of the season, alongside Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar, as neither of the duos at Red Bull or RB F1 are set in stone for next year.”
Referring to Lawson’s participation in five races last season for AlphaTauri in place of the injured Ricciardo, Marko stated: “I don’t know in how many races Liam was faster than Yuki, but that’s why we decided it’s time to make a comparison with Yuki. Who of the two is the faster?”
“But let’s wait and see. Certainly, Yuki has made significant progress. He manages his emotions better now. He used to be quite poor on the radio at times. Those outbursts were also slowing him down.”
“In other words, he lost his speed. That was what bothered me the most. But that’s over now. He’s fast and consistent on all tracks.”
Turning back to Lawson and Hadjar, and referencing what he’s observed with Mercedes and Ferrari, given that Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman have been promoted, Marko admits: “Youth is trending again.”
“What we used to do, Mercedes is doing now with Antonelli, Haas with Bearman, and I also hope Franco Colapinto ends up somewhere. He’s been thrown into the deep end by Williams and has already delivered three great races.”
While asserting that “next season, Verstappen will be champion again,” Marko concluded with a smile: “Ideally with a young driver as his teammate, one from our own junior program.”
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Red Bull’s 2025: Perez Out, Junior Talent In Red Bull’s 2025: Perez Out, Junior Talent In
