Red Bull told that 21-year-old driver would be better Sergio Perez replacement than Lando Norris

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Red Bull Racing have to consider promoting Liam Lawson straight into the works team would be a better move than hiring Lando Norris to replace Sergio Perez.

The future of the Mexican is set to be a big talking point in Formula 1 this year with plenty of drivers linked with becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2025.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Peter Windsor has been talking about the impressive 21-year-old.

The lack of driver movements on the grid in 2024 denied Liam Lawson the chance to secure a permanent spot on the grid.

He stepped in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at Zandvoort and during the most difficult driving conditions of the season adapted immediately to his new car and drove brilliantly.

Lawson scored two points for AlphaTauri at the Singapore Grand Prix hours after being told he wouldn’t be retained for next season.

However, Sergio Perez is entering the last year of his Red Bull contract and will know that plenty of drivers are gunning for his seat.

McLaren star Lando Norris is still of interest to Christian Horner’s team but they’ve been told hiring him will cost a fortune.

Red Bull have now been told that the best Perez replacement isn’t Norris but young Kiwi Liam Lawson.

It would be a surprise to see him promoted ahead of AlphaTauri drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda.

The Australian in particular looks like a prime candidate for the role, but needs to up his game in 2024 compared to his return to the sport last year.

Red Bull told to replace Perez with Lawson instead of Norris

Considering who might join the team if the Mexican leaves, Windsor said: “Lando [Norris] to Red Bull [to replace Sergio Perez]? Why not Liam Lawson?

“I would put Liam in that car if I was Red Bull. I mean he’s a Red Bull driver and they’re not doing anything with him this year.

“I guess he’s doing another year in Japan or something but I thought he looked really good in that AlphaTauri.

“They either want a young guy who by definition isn’t going to do anything even if he is quick, isn’t going to cramp Max’s [Verstappen] style or they want a sort of seasoned professional who’s not going to be that quick and annoy Max.

“That could be Daniel Ricciardo I suppose but would Lando be that guy? I think Max would say, yeah no problem with Lando because he would think, yeah I can do Lando.

“Lando would probably think, yeah it’s OK because if I get blown away everybody knows it’s Max’s team but I might blow him away and it would be great for me.”

Windsor has already admitted he thinks Perez is unlikely to be driving in F1 next year so Red Bull will need to decide whether Norris, Lawson or another driver is the best teammate for Verstappen.

It’s way too early to rule out Sergio Perez improving on his performances from last season and doing enough to earn a new contract.

On his day, he’s a phenomenal driver and while he’s unlikely to sustain a title challenge against Verstappen, he should be the perfect foil for Verstappen.

He just needs to improve his qualifying performances as too often last year he was trying to fight his way through the pack rather than supporting the Dutchman from the front.