F1 | Red Bull: A seat for two. Who jumps between Perez and Ricciardo?

There is a seat, perhaps, for two. Helmut Marko has confirmed that Liam Lawson will be at the start of the 2025 Formula 1 world championship, without specifying whether he will wear the Racing Bulls or Red Bull suit. From a ‘market’ perspective it doesn’t make much difference, the decision of the Red Bull consultant involves the exit of at least one of the two current drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez.

Marko made it clear that he is in no rush, in fact it is an internal decision that concerns drivers already under contract with Red Bull. With Max Verstappen solid beyond the foundations of the Milton Keynes headquarters, and the recent confirmation of Tsunoda, Lawson’s promotion allows us to get closer to the final composition of the puzzle.

Despite recent confirmations that Christian Horner has also reiterated internally to the company, the first suspect to leave the team remains Perez. Horner’s okay came in response to the rumors that emerged during the Spa weekend, according to which Checo would have left the team right after the Belgian round.

Another thing is the long-term future, a scenario that is far from defined in which Sergio, despite a contract for the 2025 season, cannot be considered safe since he has not respected the expected performance clauses.

“I know that performance is still a weapon in my hands,” Ricciardo reiterated. “If I do what I know I can do, I will put myself in a good position in the Red Bull ‘family’ for 2025. As for Liam, I think he deserves a place on the grid, last year he did a great job.”

If in the case of Perez the possibilities are confirmation or goodbye, for Ricciardo the scenarios go from a possible promotion to Red Bull to a confirmation in Racing Bulls. Obviously in his case too there is the possibility that 2024 could conclude his adventure in Formula 1, and according to some insiders, Perez is not the only opponent.

Isack Hadjar, Campos Racing

Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool

With two wins in the last five races, Isack Hadjar has taken off in the overall standings of the Formula 2 championship. He is scheduled to take part in FP1 sessions (he has already done one with Red Bull) but a direct promotion to Racing Bulls at the start of the 2025 world championship could also arrive.

After years in which the youth team has worked at a reduced rate, the promotion of a ‘junior driver’ without years of penance in the reserve role would bring Red Bull back to the role it has held for many years. Finally, there is also a puzzle about the team with which Lawson will be on the track next year. In the event of Perez’s exit, it could be the New Zealander who will join Verstappen, with Tsunoda destined to be confirmed for the sixth consecutive year in the Faenza team.