Horner suggests Perez stays for final races, while Red Bull’s 2024 lineup remains an open question amid Lawson rumors.
Christian Horner, Red Bull Team Principal, downplayed but did not rule out the possibility of Liam Lawson replacing Sergio Perez in the team by the end of this year.
Dr. Helmut Marko was clear after the Mexican GP: Perez’s future with Red Bull is “an open question once again.” Horner also acknowledged that “tough decisions” will need to be made.
Does this mean Red Bull Racing is considering an immediate replacement for the Mexican driver? For the final triple-header? For 2025? Horner speaks only about the end of the season for now.
“With only four races left this season, I think it’s very, very unlikely we’d replace Checo with Liam (Lawson). We’ll sit down, look over things, and try to understand what happened in this race.”
“It was really unfortunate to see our two drivers clash, as we were making a lot of progress since Austin. We were definitely heading in the right direction.”
Rumors suggest that Red Bull, now third in the constructors’ standings behind McLaren and Ferrari, may no longer justify keeping Perez even with his multimillion-dollar sponsorship.
The intensified deal between Red Bull and AT&T could see Carlos Slim’s Telmex logos disappear from the livery by 2025.
Team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko admitted after the Mexican GP: “We can forget about the constructors’ championship now.”
Perez’s form remains a mystery, even to those with maximum insight outside Red Bull. Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff admits he doesn’t understand it.
“We have extensive tools to analyze what our competitors are doing, basic telemetry, etc. But it’s hard for someone outside the team to grasp what’s happening with Perez.”
“There is certainly a mental factor at play, reflected throughout the entire team, which has taken a step back. Perez is not a driver who belongs in 16th place.”
“The significant upheaval in the team with the departure of key personnel is now also affecting performance.”
Red Bull is also reportedly considering paying $20 million to buy out Franco Colapinto’s contract with Williams for 2025.
Horner admitted that the 21-year-old Argentinian, strongly supported by a growing number of national sponsors, was “very talented.”
“It’s great to see young drivers like Franco or Liam performing well when given the opportunity. Colapinto is a good driver who clearly deserves to be in Formula 1.”
Just days ago, Marko dismissed the proposal from Williams boss James Vowles for a “loan” of Colapinto for two years.
“We discussed him with Williams, but taking a driver from another academy for such a short term isn’t feasible. Only a full contract buyout or a very long-term loan would be considered.”
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Perez’s Spot Safe for 4 Races, 2024 Decision Uncertain Perez’s Spot Safe for 4 Races, 2024 Decision Uncertain
