Red Bull could make another mid-season driver change in 2025 after axing Daniel Ricciardo

Follow us on Google Discover

Red Bull have become known for making mid-season driver changes when they run out patience. Outside of Milton Keynes, they’re a rarity.

Daniel Ricciardo became the latest victim of their notorious ruthlessness when he lost his RB seat for the final six races of 2024. Ricciardo’s situation was unique and wouldn’t ordinarily have merited a premature axe.

The Australian’s performances were underwhelming but steady, however Red Bull could only justify keeping him in their junior team if he was a viable alternative to Sergio Perez. And they saw the lengthy gap between Singapore and Austin as the final viable chance to introduce Liam Lawson.

It gives the New Zealander enough time to ‘audition’ for Perez’s drive. Yuki Tsunoda is also a Red Bull contender but is likely third in line.

The irony of Ricciardo’s exit is that he replaced Nyck de Vries halfway through the 2023 campaign. RB are a separate team to Red Bull but Christian Horner and Helmut Marko control their line-up.

The senior duo have been far more lenient with Perez then they were with predecessors like Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly, who both suffered demotions. The Mexican has been with the team since the start of 2021.

Liam Lawson may have to wait until mid-2025 to replace Sergio Perez

Writing for The Race, journalist Josh Suttill suggested that Perez may survive beyond the winter. A couple of strong results between now and the end of the season could be enough to reassure the team’s hierarchy.

But more than that, they might want more time to assess Lawson. Six races is a reasonable sample, but three of those are unusual in that they feature a Sprint, and he’ll have to take a 10-place penalty at the US Grand Prix.

Whatever happens, Perez is likely to enter 2025 under pressure. Suttill reckons that a promotion for Lawson during the season is more likely than a swap after Abu Dhabi.

While technically under contract for 2025, Perez has breached the terms of his deal. That’s because he fell more than 100 points behind Max Verstappen before the summer break.

The 2025 F1 hopeful who’s just become Liam Lawson’s ‘number one fan’

Perez isn’t the only one hoping Red Bull hold off on a refresh. There are also a number of drivers hoping a vacancy emerges at RB.

He’s unlikely to drop down given his age and the team’s renewed determination to promote young talent. Ricciardo’s presence was a break with tradition.

Isack Hadjar will be cheering on Lawson and hoping he gets the chance to partner Verstappen. The F2 title contender is the next one off the production line.

But there’s also a chance that Marko looks at external candidates. Red Bull have been linked with Gabriel Bortoleto, the McLaren junior whose path is blocked by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.