Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has warned Sergio Perez that he could experience the “same situation” as Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull unless his results improve.
RB’s announcement that Liam Lawson will replace Ricciardo over the remaining six rounds this season has eased the rumours that Perez could lose his Red Bull seat.
Ricciardo was viewed as Red Bull’s main alternative to Perez, whose 28 points in eight rounds prior to the summer break prompted rumours that he could be dropped.
However, Red Bull opted to retain Perez’s services and Ricciardo’s mid-season dismissal has appeared to increase the chances that he will remain in that role in 2025.
But Coulthard, who made 71 starts with Red Bull, believes that the Mexican’s spot with the reigning champions might be under the spotlight should his form plummet.
Perez was on course to claim a podium in Baku until a late clash with Carlos Sainz, but he struggled in Singapore as he was eliminated in Q2 and trailed home in 10th.
“He did brilliantly in Baku, but one swallow doesn’t make a summer,” Coulthard told Channel 4 before Ricciardo’s RB exit was made official.
“One good result is not what you expect from your… He’s clearly the number two driver in that team.
“There was so much relief, I think, off the back of Baku. And then here it’s a bit back to reality.
“If he doesn’t keep getting some solid points in the remainder of the year, then, like Daniel Ricciardo looks like he’s in the way out the door, that could be the same situation for Perez.”
Ricciardo had been Red Bull’s ‘banker’ option
Red Bull boss Christian Horner disclosed in Singapore that Ricciardo had been the team’s number-one choice had it reached the stage where it decided to drop Perez.
Asked whether there was a contractual obligation to grant Lawson a drive in 2024, he told Sky Sports F1: “I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of driver contracts.
“There’s privacy between the company and individuals. Liam, the job he did for us last year in the VCARB car was very impressive.
“Now, we took experience over that because Daniel was our banker if Sergio [Perez] was to drop the ball. Daniel has had a reasonable season but it hasn’t been a stellar year.
“The question is how good is Liam and sometimes difficult decisions have to be made in order to get those answers.”
Red Bull has made that ruthless choice as the realisation that Ricciardo isn’t at the level to return to Red Bull’s senior team has witnessed Lawson be handed his drive.
The New Zealander, who admitted he was told about the change two weeks ago, has divulged that his step-up to a race seat with RB covers the last six races in 2024.
Lawson will have the chance during that run to show that he should remain alongside Yuki Tsunoda next season and stake a long-term claim to a Red Bull promotion.
