Christian Horner has confirmed that Red Bull is using Liam Lawson’s recent promotion to the second driver seat as an opportunity to evaluate him as a potential teammate for Max Verstappen in the near future. This shift in strategy comes as Sergio Pérez’s inconsistent performances have put his long-term position under question. Lawson, a New Zealand driver, has been given the chance to race in the final six races of 2024 to prove his worth.
Daniel Ricciardo, who had a successful period with Red Bull from 2014 to 2018, returned to the team as a reserve driver in hopes of eventually replacing Pérez. However, Horner revealed that Ricciardo’s performance lacked the necessary consistency to secure the seat when Pérez’s form dipped earlier in the year. Despite showing flashes of his former self, particularly during the Miami Grand Prix, Ricciardo’s inability to sustain high-level performances across entire weekends ultimately led to the decision to bring in Lawson.
Horner explained that while Ricciardo was initially kept as a backup in case Pérez did not deliver, the team ultimately opted to give junior drivers like Lawson a chance to prove themselves. The decision was influenced by the impressive performances of rookies like Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto, who have shown promise when stepping up from lower formulas.
This situation leaves the door open for Lawson to earn a permanent spot with Red Bull, depending on how he performs in the remaining races of 2024. You can listen to Horner’s full discussion on the F1 Nation podcast.
‘I find it hard to read form in F2’
Christian Horner’s comments underscore the pressure on Red Bull to find a solid teammate for Max Verstappen, with Liam Lawson’s promotion offering a crucial opportunity to secure that spot. While Yuki Tsunoda appears not to be in the running for a place in the senior Red Bull team, Lawson’s upcoming performances could determine whether he replaces Sergio Pérez as early as the 2025 season. Horner’s reference to junior drivers Isack Hadjar and Arvid Lindblad highlights the potential for even more young talent to break into the top tier.
Horner’s praise for rookies like Ollie Bearman and Franco Colapinto, who have impressed in Formula 2 and in limited Formula 1 appearances, adds weight to his belief that talent can emerge quickly and unexpectedly. This unpredictability in driver development has led Horner to reassess Red Bull’s future lineup, especially considering Pérez’s inconsistency this season. Although Pérez is contracted for 2025, the team is keeping an eye on alternative options, including Lawson, other junior drivers, or even drivers from outside their current pool like George Russell, who Horner mentioned in Singapore.
Lawson’s first major opportunity to prove his worth will come in the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin on October 20, where his performances will be closely scrutinized as part of Red Bull’s decision-making process for 2025.
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