Only the official announcement is missing: Sergio Perez is ready to say goodbye to Formula 1. Will Lawson or Tsunoda take his place?
His spot in Formula 1 was already at risk at the end of 2020, but now it seems certain: Sergio Perez is on the verge of bidding farewell to the F1 grid after two terribly disappointing seasons. The Mexican driver might stay on as a test and reserve driver, but his time as a main driver seems to have come to an end.
Lawson or Tsunoda: Who Will Partner Verstappen?
The dilemma remains: the battle between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson is incredibly tight. While the New Zealander seemed to have the upper hand just weeks ago, the odds now appear to be 51%-49% in favor of Tsunoda. His strong performance during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi played a key role, with Helmut Marko stating that “Yuki is stronger than people think.”
The announcement is expected soon. Marko himself confirmed that “the decision will be announced in the coming days, and rumors about the buyout fees are false.” Reports of a $20 million severance clause for Perez’s dismissal now appear to be unfounded.
VCARB: Who Will Be the Second Driver?
As for who will partner the “non-selected” candidate, the choice is clear: Isack Hadjar will be the new driver for Racing Bulls, alongside either Tsunoda or Lawson. The decision was cemented by Hadjar’s stellar Formula 2 season, where he finished as vice-champion, second only to Gabriel Bortoleto.
Photo: Oracle Red Bull Racing
