Sergio Perez is rumoured to be preparing for a major announcement at the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix: his retirement from Formula 1. This move, if true, would mark the end of Perez’s time with Red Bull Racing after a mixed few seasons. The rumour mill suggests that Perez has worked out a deal with Red Bull that allows him to leave the team on his own terms, rather than being dropped from the lineup.
The possibility of Perez’s retirement sparks a cascade of questions about Red Bull’s driver pool and the future of several drivers across both Red Bull Racing and the newly branded Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri). Could this spark the biggest driver reshuffle in recent years?
Perez and Red Bull: A Respectful Departure?
While Perez’s form has been inconsistent throughout 2024, the rumour of a dignified retirement deal is a significant factor. Red Bull is known for its often harsh and swift driver decisions, but this time, it seems Perez may exit with his head held high, a contrast to the more cutthroat departures of the past. Rather than facing the embarrassment of being dropped mid-season or during the off-season, Perez could call time on his career at his home Grand Prix in Mexico, bowing out on his own terms.
If the rumours are true, Perez’s decision would not only change the dynamic at Red Bull Racing but also potentially shake up the entire driver pool under Red Bull's umbrella.
Lawson: The Audition of a Lifetime
The sudden mid-season inclusion of Liam Lawson in the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls lineup has sparked intense interest. While it’s true that Lawson stepped in initially as a replacement for an injured Daniel Ricciardo, it now appears that his stint is something more than just filling in. It’s widely regarded as a trial period — a showcase for Lawson to prove himself worthy of a promotion to Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen in 2025.
If Lawson excels in the remaining races of the 2024 season, it’s difficult to see why Christian Horner and Helmut Marko wouldn’t seriously consider him for the second Red Bull seat next year. In fact, Lawson’s performance will likely dictate the path of Red Bull’s driver shuffle. A strong finish this season could see him promoted, with a new face like Isack Hadjar filling the open seat at the Racing Bulls.
The Ricciardo Dilemma: Back to Red Bull?
However, if Lawson doesn’t perform as expected, the Red Bull seat could once again be up for grabs. And who better to fill it than a former Red Bull driver with an immense amount of experience? Enter Daniel Ricciardo. Despite his struggles this season, there’s still hope among fans and insiders that Ricciardo could make a triumphant return to the Red Bull main team. His knowledge of the team’s operations and car development could offer much-needed stability as Red Bull fights to regain its lead in the Constructors' Championship.
Ricciardo is not just another driver; his career, despite recent downturns, boasts plenty of success and respect within the paddock. In many ways, his return to Red Bull could be a final shot at redemption in a competitive car. Helmut Marko himself has hinted that Ricciardo is still “in the loop” and that Red Bull remains open to future opportunities with him, possibly signalling that his career in F1 is far from over.
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls: New Faces, New Opportunities
With the possibility of Lawson moving up to Red Bull, the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls would need to find someone to fill the vacant seat. That’s where Isack Hadjar, currently competing in Formula 2, comes into the picture. Hadjar is a promising young talent, fighting for the F2 championship, and is highly regarded within Red Bull’s development program. If Lawson graduates to the Red Bull team, Hadjar is the most likely candidate to step into the Racing Bulls seat, pairing up with Yuki Tsunoda for 2025.
Hadjar’s inclusion would represent Red Bull’s continued investment in young talent, a hallmark of their driver development program that has seen the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen climb the ranks in previous years.
Yuki Tsunoda: Red Bull Seat Out of Reach?
Yuki Tsunoda has been a regular at the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, showing significant improvement over his time in F1. However, Tsunoda doesn’t seem to be in the running for the second Red Bull seat. Helmut Marko has openly stated that he doesn’t believe Tsunoda is ready for the step up to Red Bull Racing, leaving him out of the immediate discussion.
This might be due to a combination of factors: consistency, performance under pressure, or perhaps something as intangible as personality. Tsunoda has undoubtedly improved, but it seems Red Bull is searching for someone more seasoned or with a higher ceiling in terms of potential.
Red Bull Looking Beyond Its Pool?
Red Bull’s internal driver options aren’t the only ones being discussed. Recently, Red Bull has been linked with George Russell, who currently races for Mercedes. The speculation comes amid rumours that Mercedes is grooming young driver Kimi Antonelli for the long term, raising questions about Russell’s future with the Silver Arrows. Toto Wolff’s recent praise of Max Verstappen has only added fuel to the fire, with some suggesting that Russell might be keeping his options open should Verstappen ever leave Red Bull.
If Red Bull were to make a bold move for a driver like Russell, it would represent a significant shift in their strategy, especially considering their historical reliance on promoting talent from within their own ranks. However, given the unpredictability of F1, anything is possible.
The Constructors’ Championship: Red Bull’s Urgent Need for Stability
Red Bull's stranglehold on the Constructors' Championship has come under threat as they now find themselves lagging behind McLaren, whose series of precise upgrade packages has catapulted them to the front of the grid. Red Bull, once dominant, now often finds itself as the third or even fourth-fastest team, particularly after a string of upgrades that have failed to deliver the desired results. With Max Verstappen unable to win a race since Spain—his longest winless streak in years—the team’s chances of reclaiming their former glory appear increasingly slim.
Meanwhile, Ferrari has established itself as the second-fastest team, while Mercedes lingers just behind, struggling to consistently string together good weekends despite having a competitive car. This evolving dynamic has left Red Bull in urgent need of stability, especially in the second driver’s seat. Sergio Perez’s fluctuating performances in 2024 have only exacerbated the situation, leaving Verstappen shouldering much of the team's burden.
Red Bull desperately needs a reliable second driver who can consistently score points and help them regain their dominance. Whether this future star ends up being Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo, or someone from outside the current Red Bull driver pool, it’s evident the team can no longer afford another season of underperformance from its second seat, especially with McLaren and Ferrari closing in fast.
The Final Verdict: Red Bull’s Next Move
Sergio Perez’s rumoured retirement could spark one of the most interesting driver market stories in recent memory. Whether it’s Liam Lawson earning a promotion to Red Bull, Isack Hadjar stepping up to the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, or Daniel Ricciardo making an unexpected comeback, the decisions Red Bull makes in the coming months will shape their future for years to come.
Lawson’s performances for the remainder of 2024 will be critical. If he shines, he could find himself racing alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull next year, with Hadjar stepping up to the Racing Bulls. But if Lawson falters, Ricciardo could once again find himself in the Red Bull seat, offering the team much-needed experience and stability.
Red Bull is playing a game of high-stakes chess, and with the 2025 season on the horizon, every move will matter. Only time will tell how this complex puzzle will come together, but one thing is certain: the driver market shake-up at Red Bull could be one for the history books.
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