For the majority of 2024, Sergio Perez has struggled for results. His failure to optimise the RB20 has pushed Red Bull to looking at alternatives for 2025 – including Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto. However, there is still a chance that Perez will retain his place at the team.
Sergio Perez under pressure to deliver results
Amidst all of Perez’s struggles, Red Bull have worked to find solutions for the Mexican driver.
Even after a difficult 2023 campaign (where Perez finished almost 300 points behind Verstappen), the Milton Keynes squad did not change their driver line-up.
In a similar way, Red Bull are still undecided about who will partner Max Verstappen next season.
Although Perez’s lack of points are costing the team in the constructors, a final decision on his future has not been made.
As it stands, there are two main candidates that could replace Perez.
The first is Liam Lawson, who team principal Christian Horner holds in high regard.
Whilst Yuki Tsunoda has performed well this year, Lawson is the person Red Bull see as a more viable candidate for promotion.
Elsewhere in the paddock, Franco Colapinto is establishing himself as a hugely exciting talent.
The 21-year-old has already attracted Red Bull’s attention, with the reigning Champions willing to overlook their own junior talent to negotiate with Colapinto.
However, amidst all these different scenarios, Sergio Perez could still retain his seat.
Red Bull could retain the status quo
According to a recent report from MARCA, a fresh wave of sponsorship could help Sergio Perez stay at Red Bull in 2025.
The Spanish outlets suggests that Perez brings $30 million of sponsors to the team – a massive figure.
Although this will not be the only factor Red Bull are taking consideration, finances certainly play a role.
Of course, the 34-year-old is not the only driver on the grid who brings in a large number of sponsors.
Franco Colapinto is already having a huge commercial impact at Williams – which is almost certainly an added incentive for Red Bull to pursue his services.
Still, the fact remains that Red Bull could be tempted to keep the same driver line-up.
There have been plenty of opportunities to make changes over the last eighteen months, yet none have been taken.
Final decision expected after final race
This does not mean that Perez is necessarily safe. Christian Horner’s comments in recent weeks are clear evidence that Red Bull are running out of patience.
With that said, the last two seasons have revealed that Perez is not seen as easily replaceable at Milton Keynes.
Furthermore, contract negotiations with Williams over Franco Colapinto will be far from complex.
Red Bull might be unsatisfied by their contract talks with the British team, thus depriving them of a leading candidate.
As ever, predicting the F1 driver market is tricky – and this is especially true for Red Bull.
Over the next few weeks, more clarity will emerge on the direction Horner’s squad pursue. Given their lack of decisiveness until now, this saga could go unresolved until after the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
