Heading into Abu Dhabi, which could be Sergio Perez’s final race in F1: the latest updates on Red Bull’s situation
Two Q3 appearances in the last nine qualifying sessions (including Sprint and main races), a points tally that can only be described as “embarrassing,” and some significant blunders, like in Qatar when he failed to notice the green light at the start of the Sprint. It’s the lowest point in Sergio Perez’s career, which now seems to have reached its end.
It’s a shame when you think about it: the Mexican driver has irreparably damaged his position in Formula 1 in recent years, leaving behind memorable triumphs like Sakhir 2020 and ending up empty-handed in terms of sporting satisfaction, particularly over the last two seasons.
Perez OUT: But who takes his place at Red Bull?
Sergio Perez seems destined to say goodbye to Formula 1. Reportedly, unless he delivers a remarkable performance in Abu Dhabi, the Mexican will vacate his seat for a new teammate. But who will it be?
This is currently the biggest question at Red Bull. There’s no longer a spot for Daniel Ricciardo, who has been out of the running for months in the battle for the second RB21 seat—not exactly an enviable position considering the garage companion who has dominated pole positions, victories, and world titles over the past four years.
This leaves the fight between two contenders: Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, with Lawson currently leading the race thanks to his two extraordinary mid-season debuts (in 2023 and 2024).
Surprisingly, Franco Colapinto is also out of contention. The Argentine driver has delivered poor performances in recent weeks, overshadowing his brilliant F1 debut and the impressive skills he showcased in his early outings with Williams.
What also weighs against him is the high cost of damages incurred: $2,791,000 spent by Williams on repairs, making him the sixth most expensive driver in F1 in this regard (still far behind the $4,861,000 spent by Red Bull on Sergio Perez).
VCARB: Space for a New Young Talent?
With the second Red Bull seat secured, a spot opens up in the Racing Bulls team. The frontrunner to enter F1 now appears to be Isack Hadjar, who is just half a point behind the leader in the Formula 2 standings, Gabriel Bortoleto. Hadjar seems to have particularly impressed Helmut Marko, despite not having the easiest personality to manage.
Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team
