Recent weeks have been crucial for the Red Bull Racing team as they made significant decisions regarding their driver lineup. Despite Christian Horner’s successful retention of Sergio Perez, the move has been met with mixed reactions from fans. Critics argue that Perez’s consistent underperformance threatens Red Bull’s chances of securing the world title.
As the Milton Keynes-based team concentrates on resolving its present challenges, future issues are beginning to emerge. Management will soon need to consider promising young drivers showing impressive results. Meanwhile, Helmut Marko has assessed Liam Lawson’s future with Red Bull.
Helmut Marko In Favor Of Giving Opportunity To New Faces
Helmut Marko recently revealed that a decision regarding Liam Lawson’s future will be made in September. Marko assured that Lawson will undoubtedly be driving for Red Bull next year. The plan has been in place for Lawson to gain additional Formula 1 experience at Imola. Despite interest from other teams wishing to loan him, Lawson will remain with Red Bull and is unavailable for such arrangements. While Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda have a contract beyond 2024, either Sergio Perez or Daniel Ricciardo have to make way for the New Zealander. The Mexican racer is under immense pressure as expectations are mounting. The experienced racer must showcase his skills to confirm a seat for upcoming seasons.
Meanwhile, Ricciardo is in a peculiar spot. He can either get a promotion to Red Bull or lose his VCARB seat for Lawson. Thus, he recently opened up about the current developments during a media interaction. When the Australian racer was asked about Helmut Marko’s comments on Liam Lawson at Zandvoort, he expressed confidence in his performance. Ricciardo emphasized that delivering strong performances is crucial for securing his place within the Red Bull family for the next season. He acknowledged Lawson’s talent, noting that Lawson had performed well during a previous stint in the car. Ricciardo believes Lawson deserves a spot on the grid and is pleased to hear that Lawson is likely to secure a seat for the upcoming season. Regarding his future, Ricciardo stated that while the specifics are still uncertain, he is optimistic that Red Bull will find a place for him if he continues to perform well.
The Red Bull Talent Pool Is Overflowing
If Red Bull were genuinely set on promoting Liam Lawson to a full-time seat, the decision would likely have been made by now. The delay in finalizing this move hints that another candidate might emerge as a more suitable choice for the vacant driver position.
The nineteen-year-old driver, who has received praise from Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, is considered a promising prospect for the team. Isack Hadjar, on track to potentially win the F2 championship, could be named the new Red Bull reserve driver soon. However, the team needs to secure a permanent position for him to avoid a fate similar to Lawson’s, where he remains on the sidelines. Red Bull’s management is currently biding their time, waiting to see if Hadjar clinches the F2 title. If he does, he may receive an F1 promotion; if not, he will likely continue in F2 for another season.