Horner confirms that Tsunoda and Lawson “would be the candidates” to replace Perez in 2025

Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, has given his clearest indication yet on the drivers who could replace Sergio Perez in 2025, if Red Bull and the Mexican decided to end their collaboration.

Despite a promising start to the 2024 season with four podiums in the first five races, Sergio Perez faced difficulties throughout the rest of the season, scoring only 49 points between the seventh round in Imola and the last race in Abu Dhabi. In comparison, he had accumulated more points during the first four races.

This underperformance led Red Bull to finish third in the constructors’ championship, behind McLaren and Ferrari, despite a drivers’ title won by Max Verstappen with two races to spare. If the second Red Bull driver had scored as many points (437) as the Dutchman, the team would have won the constructors’ championship, with more than a 200-point lead.

An uncertain future

Although Sergio Perez signed a two-year contract extension in June, his performances have fueled rumors of a possible replacement for 2025. Christian Horner has hinted that his choice would be between Liam Lawson, currently with Racing Bulls, and Yuki Tsunoda, who undertook his first test with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi this week.

Interviewed about the drivers’ performances, Christian Horner stated: « I think Liam did a very good job under difficult circumstances. If you analyze what he achieved with the time he had and his race pace, he performed well. Yuki also did a good job, so if a decision had to be made regarding Checo, they would be the candidates considered. »

He also mentioned the future of Sergio Perez, as Red Bull looks to get back in the fight for the constructors’ title in 2025: « These discussions will take place between Checo and the team. Now that the season is over, we will sit down with him, reflect on the season, understand what didn’t work, and decide together on the best way forward. »

« Checo has brought a lot to this team, whether it’s in the race in Abu Dhabi in 2021, with his contribution to the constructors’ championships in 2022 and 2023, his five race wins, or his second place in the drivers’ championship last year. He has done a tremendous amount for this team, and we will reflect on this season to see how to move forward. »

« There is no immediate urgency. We have all options available internally, so the first step is to have a discussion with Checo now that the season is over. For now, he is still our driver, and it would be incorrect to speculate on the future until we have had that conversation. »

However, he insisted on the crucial importance of having two drivers consistently scoring points in the Constructors’ Championship.

« Ferrari will be strong with its duo next year, McLaren has a solid line-up, and Mercedes will have an inexperienced driver in one of its seats. For us, it is therefore essential that our two drivers perform well, without a significant gap. »