Red Bull has conceded that the team “can’t afford” to have Sergio Perez languish so far behind Max Verstappen as it anticipates a tighter Formula 1 title fight in 2025.
The Austrian outfit’s dramatic regression in competitiveness has seen it lose its long-held status as the benchmark team in the series to McLaren over recent months.
But although McLaren has opened up a 41-point advantage in the Constructors’ Championship, Verstappen continues to hold a 52-point lead in the Drivers’ Standings.
Meanwhile, Perez, who hasn’t taken a podium since the Chinese Grand Prix in April, is down in eighth place on 144 points, a sizeable 187 points behind his team-mate.
The Mexican has been unable to produce an upturn in results, despite being handed a new deal and Red Bull deciding to give him a reprieve during the summer break.
Perez’s spot is set to be under pressure once again, though, as Liam Lawson will have the chance to showcase his credentials as he’s replaced Daniel Ricciardo at RB.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has indicated that the mid-season switch has been made to allow the team a chance to review its available options heading into 2025.
“We desperately need answers,” Horner told Autosport about the team’s ongoing second driver conundrum.
“I think when you look at our opponents, Ferrari will be strong next year, with [Lewis] Hamilton and [Charles] Leclerc.
“Plus McLaren with [Lando] Norris and [Oscar] Piastri is a strong line-up.
“We need to make sure that with both of our drivers, that there’s not a big gap between them because you can’t afford to have that.”
Rookies prepared to step up in F1
Lawson being handed the opportunity to stake his claim to the place alongside Verstappen at Red Bull comes amid several rookie names having excelled this season.
Alex Albon, an ex-Red Bull driver, claimed the exploits of Williams team-mate Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman held a role in Ricciardo losing his place to Lawson.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has admitted the next generation hitting the ground running has lessened the scepticism surrounding placing new names into F1 cars.
“The GP appearances of Oliver Bearman and especially Franco Colapinto have shown that the youngsters are ready for the step up,
and that the old philosophy of some team bosses, that you can only promote drivers with three or four years of experience to a top team, is outdated.
“Mercedes has now proven this with its driver decision, just as Red Bull Racing has done several times in the past.
“So you can rely on the youth. There is a certain risk, but it is manageable and it is worth it.”
READ MORE: Helmut Marko reveals no guarantees over Sergio Perez’s Red Bull F1 future
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