Reports of Liam Lawson‘s promotion to take over Sergio Perez’s seat at Red Bull Racing for the 2025 F1 season has copped the fury of fans on social media.
The confirmation of Sergio Perez’s departure from Red Bull Racing has sent shockwaves through the F1 community, particularly with reports that Liam Lawson’s promotion is in the works to step into the coveted seat alongside reigning world champion Max Verstappen for the 2025 season.
This decision, however, has not been met with unanimous approval among fans and pundits alike. Many are expressing their discontent over the apparent sidelining of Yuki Tsunoda, who many believe has shown greater potential and consistency than Lawson in recent seasons.
The 22-year-old New Zealander is thought to be the leading contender to take the coveted seat, with his Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda the other possible option. Perez replacement is expected to be announced in the coming days.
Fans of Perez have taken to social media sites to criticize the rumoured Liam Lawson’s promotion, following the announcement of the Mexican’s departure, bombarding his comments with the poo emoji.
“Eat a curve and cease to exist,” one fan commented on a post on Lawson’s Instagram account.
“You don’t deserve the Red Bull seat, you don’t know to respect this sport, because of you the Red Bull team has lost all pride. Shame of Red Bull to promote such pilot,” another said.
“Max will destroy Lawson’s career, and I will enjoy it very very much,” another commented on the official Red Bull Racing Instagram page.
Lawson went through the same thing when he replaced Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo in the Racing Bulls team at the back end of the 2024 season.
Perez started the 2024 season strongly for Red Bull, with four podiums in the opening five races, but became inconsistent as the season went on, eventually finishing in eighth place and costing Red Bull a chance at the constructors’ championship despite Max Verstappen winning the drivers’ title.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the past four years with Red Bull Racing and for the opportunity to race with such as amazing team,” the 34-year old said.
“Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience, and I’ll always cherish the success we achieved together, we broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way,” Perez said.
“It’s also been an honour to race alongside Max as a teammate all these years and to share in our success. A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon.”
If Liam Lawson’s promotion gets confirmed as Perez replacement, he will move up into Red Bull’s senior ranks with just 11 races of experience, five in 2023 and six this year.
Lawson’s primary instruction in his 2024 stint was to better Tsunoda’s results, however, the Kiwi lost that head to head 4-2, despite taking a 4-1 lead in a five-race spell in 2023.
While Yuki Tsunoda is also a contender to move up into Red Bull, having been with the team since 2021, it’s understood senior figures within the team are hesitant to promote him.
Liam Lawson’s promotion is more likely because Tsunoda is linked to Red Bull through engine supplier Honda, who are with Red Bull’s two teams until the end of next season. After that, though, Honda will join Aston Martin.
It’s understood that Red Bull do not want to give Tsunoda a year in their car, only to lose him 12 months later and see him join a rival. Aston Martin have already landed one blow against Red Bull this year by signing legendary car designer Adrian Newey.
However, while Tsunoda was given a test drive in the Red Bull car after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Racetrackmasters understands this was solely to appease Honda.
Red Bull academy driver Isack Hadjar looms as the likely candidate to step into Racing Bulls, one of Lawson or Tsunoda is promoted.
