Liam Lawson has just shown Cadillac exactly who to sign for their Formula 1 debut in 2026

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Liam Lawson has performed so poorly at Red Bull that he could lose his seat after just two races. There’s growing chatter that Yuki Tsunoda could replace him for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lawson took over from Sergio Perez at the end of last season and aimed to end Red Bull’s second driver hoodoo. Pierre Gasly had previously been dropped after just six months, while Alex Albon only lasted 18.

Thus far, Lawson has been the worst of Max Verstappen’s five teammates. He’s been knocked out in the first segment of qualifying on all three attempts, and he was slowest on both Friday and Saturday in China.

He hasn’t been able to recover in the races either. He crashed out of a wet Australian Grand Prix, finished 14th in the Shanghai Sprint and then ended up 12th in Sunday’s race even after three disqualifications.

One report claims Red Bull have already decided to axe Lawson for Suzuka. The immediate beneficiary would be Yuki Tsunoda, but there could be another who prospers long-term.

Liam Lawson shows Cadillac that Sergio Perez could be the answer after all

At the end of last season, Perez’s hard-earned Formula 1 reputation was in ruins. Verstappen beat him in all but one meaningful session across the season, outscoring him by 285 points.

In race pace, the gap between Perez and Verstappen was the largest on the grid. Red Bull had given him a new one-plus-one deal in June but they ended up paying him to walk away in December.

It was hard, at that stage, to see how Perez could resurrect his career. But without his turning a wheel, he’s seen his stock climb.

Lawson’s dire showings – even worse than what the Mexican managed – have highlighted the depth of Red Bull’s second-driver problem. A string of drivers have found the car extremely difficult to handle, and the pattern has become so entrenched that it may point to a more fundamental issue.

Gasly and Albon have both flourished in their post-Red Bull careers. The former won a race and has scored five podiums, while the latter is currently outperforming Carlos Sainz.

All of a sudden, it seems as if Perez might be able to do the same if given another chance elsewhere. And new entrants Cadillac provide the most obvious route for a comeback next year.

Sergio Perez partners have already shared an update on his Cadillac F1 chances

Lawson’s woes don’t absolve Perez of responsibility. But they do suggest he’s a far better driver than he looked at Milton Keynes.

It’s worth remembering that he was an exceptional asset to Sauber and Force India/Racing Point between 2011 and 2020. He’d already scored 10 podiums, including a victory, before his ill-fated Red Bull move.

Cadillac may now have renewed confidence that he could lead their project alongside a young American talent. Perez’s ex-engineer stressed that he had a ‘fantastic’ career and argued that the decline in his image wasn’t entirely fair.

In a recent interview, a sponsor indicated that Cadillac have held talks over Perez already. They still need to gauge whether the 34-year-old is ‘interested’ in the move, and he could face competition from Mercedes reserve Valtteri Bottas.