Lawson Auditions for 2025 Red Bull F1 Spot

Liam Lawson’s performances with Red Bull F1 are being closely watched, as Christian Horner confirms the young driver could replace Sergio Pérez if his form continues to dip heading into 2025.

Christian Horner has confirmed that Liam Lawson’s stand-in role at RB F1 this year will indeed be an audition to possibly replace Sergio Pérez in 2025. The Brit would have preferred not to be in this position, but he fears another tough season for the Mexican, and if Pérez struggles in the latter part of the season, Lawson could be an option.

“Of course, in a perfect world, that’s what we would have done, but from a broader perspective, we need answers regarding our drivers,” Horner said on the F1 Nation podcast. “And with six races remaining, it’s the perfect opportunity to put Liam alongside Yuki to see how he performs over the remaining six Grands Prix.”

“This goes beyond RB F1; it encompasses Red Bull Racing. We obviously have a contract with Sergio for next year, but you always have to keep an eye on the future. Will it be Liam? Or will we have to look outside the group? Or will one of the other juniors step up, whether it’s Isack Hadjar or Arvid Lindblad?”

Asked about how Daniel Ricciardo was sidelined, Horner insists everything was done to save him: “I did my best to give him as much time as possible in the car so he could live up to his potential.”

“All drivers are under pressure, but the reason Daniel was in that car was to position himself to pick up the pieces if Checo didn’t perform. The problem is that both of them have had form issues at different times.”

“Checo started the season very well, very strong, and Daniel struggled. Then, when Checo lost form, Daniel found some, but it was never convincing enough to say, ‘OK, we should swap the two drivers.'”

Horner doesn’t rule out recalling Ricciardo if Pérez and Lawson fail to deliver, but he doesn’t think that will happen: “It’s clear that Checo is regaining his form, the form he had at the start of the year, and nothing changes. But as we know, in this business, two weeks is a long time.”

“We’ve been very clear that we want him to stay on as a team ambassador, and of course, you never really know what’s going to happen. I mean, if Liam doesn’t do the job, if Checo doesn’t do the job, we know Daniel’s capabilities. But that shouldn’t happen in reality.”

“I think for him, he knows that at his age, he’s had a great career. There are so many memories. The most disgusting thing ever was drinking champagne from his sweaty boot! But he made it his own, and he convinced incredible people to drink champagne from his sweaty shoe.”