What Liam Lawson has done at Red Bull that was not ‘needed’ amid Sergio Perez doubts

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Liam Lawson could earn a place on the Formula 1 grid after the summer break without lifting a finger at the upcoming race at Spa.

The Belgian Grand Prix is set to be a huge event for the Red Bull team and Sergio Perez in particular.

Perez has had another difficult campaign and his crash in qualifying at the Hungaroring was a damming reminder to team principal Christian Horner that a decision on his future looms.

The Mexican driver recovered well in the race to finish 7^th ahead of George Russell who was also eliminated in Q1 and his race pace in practice was almost identical to that of Max Verstappen.

However, turning it on in qualifying and scoring a large haul of points for the team are very different scenarios and unfortunately, Perez has failed to live up to expectations when the pressure’s been on.

That’s where Liam Lawson enters the conversation as Red Bull and RB’s reserve driver.

Lawson has been linked with replacing Perez and Red Bull are fully aware that they need to find a race seat for the Kiwi.

Red Bull could lose Lawson due to a clause in his contract that activates next month which would allow their rivals on the grid to approach the 22-year-old.

Journalist Jake Boxall-Legge has shared on the Autosport Podcast why Lawson may have done something recently that Red Bull didn’t need.

Lawson hopped into the RB20 for a filming day after Silverstone with the pressure on Perez at an all-time high.

His role as reserve driver has limited his time on track this year and by the sounds of it, his performance may not have made Red Bull’s upcoming decision on Perez straightforward.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

Liam Lawson’s filming day performance provides more questions for Red Bull ahead of Sergio Perez decision

Reflecting on the young Kiwi’s chances of stepping into Perez’s seat, Boxall-Legge said: “If we’re looking at the options that are being touted, there are three main ones.

“They’ve put Liam Lawson into the car and, obviously, he’s had the test in the RB20 now.

“As far as word goes, it’s not been a particularly strong turn in that car. It was fine, I think, but probably not what Red Bull needed.”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Sergio Perez could be saved by lack of standout options to replace him at Red Bull

Red Bull would love nothing more than for Perez to take pole position and win the Belgian Grand Prix by 20 seconds on Sunday.

However, the chances of that happening are virtually non-existent and his best chance of saving his seat is to match Verstappen as closely as possible.

Martin Brundle has explained why Red Bull haven’t dropped Perez yet and the reasoning hasn’t changed.

Liam Lawson is ready to step up to Formula 1, but coming in alongside Verstappen midway through a season when the Constructors’ Championship is at stake is a far from ideal start to life in the sport.

Lawson proved at AlphaTauri last year that he’s more than comfortable being thrown into difficult situations.