Red Bull's super consultant has reignited speculation about the future of Sergio Perez , suggesting that the Mexican's seat could be at risk. In an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF, Helmut Marko said he would like to see a young talent from the Red Bull Academy alongside Max Verstappen from 2025 onwards. This statement puts further pressure on Perez, who is having an up-and-down season and could find himself forced to fight to keep his seat.
An uncertain future for Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez’s performances in 2024 have been marked by ups and downs, with moments of difficulty that have raised doubts about his future. Despite a contract that ties him to Red Bull until the end of 2025, Marko’s comments have called into question his permanence with the team. “I hope that in 2025 Max can be supported by a driver from our junior program”, said Helmut Marko, adding: “Perez has done his duty so far, but we know how important it is to have a second driver who can consistently contribute to the team’s success”. These sentences reinforce the idea that the team is already looking to the future with an eye on the young talents of the Academy.
Perez, who has already faced periods of pressure within the team, will need to significantly improve his performances in the final races of the year if he is to avoid being replaced. The competition is fierce, and Red Bull has shown in the past that it does not hesitate to change drivers when they do not meet expectations, as happened with Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon.
Liam Lawson: The Big Break
Among the names that could take Perez's place, the one that stands out is Liam Lawson., a Red Bull Academy driver who has already had his chance to shine. Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo from the Austin Grand Prix with the Visa Cash App RB team, and this will be a crucial chance to prove that he deserves a seat in Formula 1 next season too.
Lawson’s performance is being closely watched by Marko and the rest of the Red Bull management. If he can impress during the final races of the season, he could be the ideal candidate to partner Verstappen in 2025.
The role of Marko and Horner
Helmut Marko's statements are never casual, and this time they also seem to be addressed to Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal. Marko has a long history of pressuring drivers and internal team decisions, and with his public outburst, he appears to be trying to speed up the decision-making process. However, Horner may be more cautious, given the contribution Perez has made to the team in recent years, especially as a support to Verstappen in the title fight.
The decision on who will partner Verstappen will be crucial to maintaining the team’s stability and success in the coming seasons, and finding the right balance between experience and emerging talent will not be easy.
Red Bull and the Academy: the future is in the youth
Red Bull has always relied heavily on its Academy, a talent factory that has produced drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen himself. Now, with Marko pushes for a generational change, the Academy's youngsters are one step away from the big opportunity.
With such an uncertain future and so many options on the table, the question remains: will Sergio Perez be able to keep his place alongside Verstappen, or will one of the youngsters from the Academy take his seat in 2025 as hypothesized by Helmut Marko?
Source statements: Motorsport.com