Red Bull has yet to finalize their driver line-ups for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The future of Sergio Perez remains uncertain, and there is also a vacant seat next to Yuki Tsunoda at the junior team, RB.
Perez had signed a new contract in June, which seemed to confirm his participation with Red Bull for the 2025 season. Additionally, the deal included a performance-related option for 2026. However, both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have been evaluating potential ways to exit this agreement due to Sergio Perez’s disappointing form, which has contributed to the team slipping to third in the Constructors’ Championship after securing the title in the previous two years.
This situation will undoubtedly have a direct impact on Red Bull’s line-up decisions. Although Yuki Tsunoda has delivered strong performances this season, he is only a few points shy of the top 10 in the Drivers’ Championship, he is not currently seen as a contender for the senior team.
Internally, Red Bull has been deliberating on whether to promote a driver from their existing pool of talent or to hire from outside. Unlike most of the team’s drivers, Perez did not come through Red Bull’s famed driver academy, having joined from Racing Point in the winter of 2020/21.
There has been significant speculation within Formula 1 circles regarding Red Bull’s decision to bypass Carlos Sainz, who was available as a free agent when Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton. The former Toro Rosso driver, and four-time race winner, has long been considered an excellent candidate for the team, raising questions about why Red Bull did not pursue him.
In a recent development, Red Bull has given the green light for a move to sign Franco Colapinto from Williams. According to F1 insider Ralf Bach, speaking on the F1-Insider YouTube channel, Horner is eager to bring the young Argentine driver into the fold. Franco Colapinto has made an impressive impact since joining Williams, scoring five points and putting pressure on his teammate, Alex Albon. However, Helmut Marko remains less enthusiastic, preferring the team to focus on promoting drivers already in their stable.
Despite Helmut Marko’s reservations, Red Bull shareholders have approved the move, signaling a potential shift in strategy. If they succeed in acquiring Franco Colapinto, they will face the decision of whether to place him in the senior team or at RB, with rival team Alpine also expressing interest in the talented driver.
“Horner’s favourite [option] is to buy Colapinto from Williams for €20million (£16.7m),” Ralf Bach explained. “Apparently there is a board resolution where they gave him the green light. Helmut Marko is saying, ‘What do we want with Colapinto, we have our own juniors with Lawson and Tsunoda, especially Lawson? They should be promoted now.’ Lawson is Marko’s favourite. He’s doing a good job as a replacement for Ricciardo.” – he pointed out.
There is a possibility that Red Bull could make an announcement regarding Franco Colapinto’s future at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. However, neither Colapinto nor Liam Lawson is considered a flawless solution for the team. Red Bull will need a clear performance upgrade to justify the substantial pay-out required to part ways with Sergio Perez.
When evaluating these two drivers, it’s important to note that they have combined for just 14 Grand Prix appearances – a very limited sample size. While Red Bull has access to a wealth of simulator data for Lawson and is already well aware of Alex Albon’s capabilities, which could serve as a useful benchmark for Colapinto, the lack of extensive race experience is a concern.
Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos has voiced his apprehension about Franco Colapinto’s readiness, suggesting that racing alongside Max Verstappen, the soon-to-be four-time world champion, could lead to what he describes as “mortal embarrassment.” Doornbos worries that being thrust into such a high-pressure environment early in his career could have a damaging effect on Colapinto’s confidence in the long term.
Despite these concerns, Christian Horner is clearly optimistic about Franco Colapinto’s potential, seeing him as a driver capable of rising to the challenge. The young driver’s team has reportedly set a deadline for finalizing his future, with the Las Vegas Grand Prix seen as a key turning point. As a result, there could very well be an official announcement regarding his future plans during the event next weekend.
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