Red Bull in a quandary over drivers: “Bizarre how everything changed in seven days” – As Red Bull Racing faces the challenge of securing a reliable teammate for Max Verstappen in the 2025 Formula One season, the team finds itself in an unusual predicament and indeed admits Ricciardo is back on as an option.

After the Mexican Grand Prix, where all three of the team’s serious contenders for the seat – Sergio Pérez, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson – failed to score points, team bosses Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are faced with a dilemma.

For the two senior bosses, the frustration at the lack of a clear performance from any of the candidates underlines the urgency of finding a reliable partner for their star driver.

 

 

Pérez’s struggles in Mexico: A disastrous weekend

Sergio Pérez’s weekend at his home Grand Prix in Mexico got off to a rocky start. Starting from 18th place after a difficult qualifying session, the Mexican driver suffered further setbacks during the race.

Despite starting well outside his grid position, an error for which he was later penalised, Pérez made a strong start and quickly moved up the order. However, his duel with Liam Lawson for tenth place proved costly.

In an aggressive defence, Lawson held his line, causing Pérez to suffer significant sidepod and ground damage. This setback robbed Pérez’s car of an estimated 70 points of downforce, according to Horner.

“He lost a total of seventy points of downforce,” explained Horner in a post-race interview with *Auto, Motor und Sport*. With such extensive damage, the possibility of scoring points was out of reach for Pérez. On the Mexican circuit, where the air is thinner and aerodynamics are affected, the damage translated into a loss of around half a second per lap, effectively eliminating Pérez’s chances.

Marko scoffs at bold claims by Perez’s father

 

 

 

Lawson’s apology: Tensions rise in Red Bull camp

The aftermath of the incident between Pérez and Lawson has not gone down well with Red Bull Racing, who are sensitive to any on-track issue that could cost them points.

“I spoke to Checo,” confirmed Horner, referring to his conversation with Pérez. Lawson was also reported to have apologised after the race, not for his riding but for an inappropriate gesture he made later in the race. Lawson’s middle finger salute to Pérez during an overtaking manoeuvre added an extra layer of tension to the Red Bull family.

The incident highlighted the independence of the main Red Bull team and its sister outfit, VCARB, with Horner noting, “Both teams race independently, even though we have the same owner.”

His comments were a pointed rebuttal to McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who had previously questioned the fairness of Red Bull’s relationship with VCARB. Brown suggested that Red Bull could use VCARB to support the main team, a claim Horner was quick to dismiss.

However, the weekend has only increased the pressure on Pérez, who has struggled to secure his position amid inconsistent performances.

“There comes a point where we just can’t do any more,” said Horner, hinting at possible tough decisions if Pérez continues to falter.

Hamilton laughs at Verstappen’s misfortune

 

 

 

Driver selection dilemma: no clear standouts

After the US Grand Prix in Austin, Lawson looked like a promising option for the 2025 season. However, the rookie’s behaviour in Mexico – along with the defensive manoeuvre that led to Pérez’s damage – has left Horner and Marko questioning his readiness for a full-time Red Bull seat.

In addition to Lawson’s on-track temperament, his mixed performances throughout the season highlight his inconsistency, a factor Red Bull will be wary of when choosing Verstappen’s team-mate.

Meanwhile, another contender, Yuki Tsunoda, had his own share of problems in Mexico. Crashes on both Saturday and Sunday marred his performance, adding to the ambiguity surrounding his potential promotion.

“It’s crazy how everything can change in seven days,” remarked Horner. Having backed Lawson after Austin,

Horner now appears to be questioning the young New Zealander’s maturity and temperament under pressure.

Step up Ricciardo perhaps? READ MORE ON THIS SCENARIO

 

 

 

 

Marko’s disappointment: Red Bull’s position in the Constructors’ Championship

Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko was disappointed with the results of the Mexican Grand Prix. The weekend’s failures saw the main team drop from second to third in the Constructors’ Championship, a situation Marko had hoped to avoid. Ferrari now have a 25-point lead over Red Bull, who started the season just eight points behind.

“We can forget about the Constructors’ Championship now,” admitted the 81-year-old, underlining his frustration at the main team’s inability to close the gap.

Prior to the race, Marko had stressed that Pérez’s performance was crucial in preventing Red Bull from slipping to third. But with the team’s position slipping, the pressure on Red Bull to regain their footing in the remaining four races has intensified.

“We’re only third in the constructors’ championship now and we really want to win again,” said Horner, underlining the challenge ahead.

Norris/Verstappen clash in FIA confrontation over stewarding

 

 

 

Déjà vu: Wolff openly attacks Verstappen

 

 

Red Bull’s urgency: Pressure mounts on 2025 driver line-up

Red Bull’s ongoing struggle to find the right driver for 2025 illustrates the complexity of creating a balanced Formula One line-up. Verstappen, who has cemented his place as one of the sport’s most dominant drivers, needs a teammate who can not only help him score points, but also complement his aggressive racing style without internal conflict.

However, with Pérez, Lawson and Tsunoda all suffering their unique setbacks, the team is left without a clear choice.

The situation has prompted Horner and Marko to reconsider their options as they look ahead to the final races of the season and, ultimately, the selection of Verstappen’s 2025 team-mate. Red Bull’s leadership has often prided itself on having a competitive and well-matched line-up, but this season’s candidate pool reflects an unusual level of uncertainty.

Mexican fans backlash at Red Bull treatment of Perez

 

 

 

Reflecting on the season: Red Bull’s search for consistency and cohesion

As Red Bull analyse the performances of Pérez, Tsunoda and Lawson, it’s clear that they face a tough decision. Each candidate brings different strengths and weaknesses to the table, making the decision difficult as the team searches for the ideal balance between skill and consistency.

For Pérez, Mexico was another example of how factors beyond his control can affect his performance, although questions remain about his qualifying results and race-day focus. Tsunoda, meanwhile, will need to show a steadier hand if he is to be a serious contender.

For Lawson, who is new to F1, the key will be to use his skills without letting his emotions get in the way of his decision-making. As Horner noted, a single race weekend can redefine a driver’s prospects in Red Bull’s rigorous evaluation process.

F1 Exit looms as Perez money dries up after Mexico disaster

 

 

 

Verstappen penalty

 

 

 

 

Looking Forward: The road to Red Bull’s 2025 roster

As Red Bull looks to the future, the stakes remain high. The next four races are likely to determine not only the final Constructors’ Championship, but also Red Bull’s decision on Verstappen’s 2025 partner.

With Ferrari now firmly in second place, the Red Bull team face an uphill battle, but the competitive spirit that has defined Red Bull’s journey in Formula One could see them make a comeback before the end of the season.

While no one could have predicted the twists and turns in Red Bull’s driver evaluation for 2024, Horner and Marko are unlikely to take their decision lightly. For now, the focus is on finding consistency, both on track and within the team dynamic.

READ MORE – Déjà vu: Wolff openly attacks Verstappen

 

 

 

 

MORE F1 NEWS – Horner admits Ricciardo race seat still on

“But it was not meant to be” – Horner reflects on Ricciardo’s departure from Red Bull Racing – Five weeks ago, Daniel Ricciardo’s journey with Red Bull Racing came to an end. In a move that surprised some and was inevitable for others, Red Bull swapped Australian Daniel Ricciardo for promising newcomer from New Zealand Liam Lawson after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

Despite Lawson’s impressive debut in Austin, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is still reflecting on the departure of Ricciardo – a driver whose impact on the team extended far beyond the track. Indeed, the Red Bull team boss fully admits that Ricciardo may well be needed for a race seat depending on the performances of other drivers in the family.

Horner recently shared his thoughts on Ricciardo’s departure, expressing a mixture of nostalgia, admiration and respect for the Australian’s personality, career and influence within the Red Bull team and the wider world of Formula One. His comments underline the bittersweet nature of Ricciardo’s transition, both for…READ MORE ON THIS STORY