Red Bull could make contract change for Perez amid Lawson arrival

A potential shake-up looms for Red Bull Racing as the arrival of Liam Lawson could impact Sergio Perez’s contract, says an F1 expert. Perez recently signed a new deal with the team, committing until the end of 2026, but his recent poor form has raised questions about his future alongside teammate Max Verstappen.

Struggling in comparison to other drivers like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Perez has only scored 41 points in his last 12 races, sitting eighth with just six races remaining. Speculation about the 34-year-old driver’s future emerged during the summer break, with Daniel Ricciardo initially linked as a potential replacement, only to see Lawson ultimately being chosen over him.

Now, with McLaren overtaking Red Bull in the standings, the pressure is on Perez to improve or face the possibility of being replaced next season. F1 pundits suggest that Lawson could be a contender for a Red Bull seat in 2025 based on his performance in the remaining races, despite Perez’s existing contract.

Lawson returning to race for Red Bull in the final races is seen as an audition for the 2025 season, with the requirement of consistently outperforming Yuki Tsunoda to be considered for a seat alongside Verstappen. Whether Lawson could potentially surpass Perez will ultimately depend on team principal Christian Horner and sports advisor Helmut Marko’s assessment of his capabilities.

Given the disparity in car performance, it may be a challenge for Lawson to outperform Perez on track. Nevertheless, further races will provide clarity on the potential driver lineup for Red Bull in the upcoming seasons.

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