French-Algerian driver set to make his F1 debut as reports of RB driver replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull emerge
Sergio Perez’s full-time Red Bull driver role is reportedly set to end after the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP. Following Team Principal Christian Horner’s comments at the 2024 Qatar GP and according to ESPN’s sources, it looks likely that Liam Lawson will take his place and Isack Hadjar will be promoted to VCARB.
Pérez scored 152 points during the 2024 F1 season compared to Max Verstappen's 429. His poor performance put Red Bull on the back foot in the constructor's championship. Reports of Red Bull wanting to replace him with Daniel Ricciardo or Lawson emerged around the mid-season. However, with reported intervention from the F1 owners Liberty Media, the Mexican retained the seat.
“I'm going to let Checo [Pérez] come to his own conclusions, nobody's forcing him one way or another. It's not a nice situation for him to obviously be in," Horner said.
"We're very much focused on really supporting him to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi, and then obviously it's not an enjoyable situation for Checo, being in this position with speculation every week. He's old enough and wise enough to know what the situation is, and yeah, let's see where we are after Abu Dhabi.”
Lawson is the favorite to replace Pérez as the New Zealander was put in the junior team following Ricciardo's sacking. According to ESPN’s sources, the French Algerian F2 driver Hadjar is reportedly set to make his F1 debut in VCARB if Lawson is promoted alongside Verstappen.
Hadjar is in the F2 championship fight, trailing Gabriel Bortoleto by 0.5 points with one round to go. However, Horner was also asked about signing Franco Colapinto for a role at the Red Bull family.
“I'm sure Franco will find his way”: Christian Horner on signing Colapinto with the Red Bull family
Williams brought Franco Colapinto in to replace Logan Sargeant. The Argentine impressed everyone with his pace and matched teammate Alex Albon toe-to-toe in qualifying and in races. However, with Carlos Sainz stepping alongside Albon for the 2025 season, Colapinto is left looking for a seat.
Amid this, Christian Horner was asked about the possibility of signing the Williams driver. He said (via ESPN):
“He, for sure, is a talent that's looking to earn his permanent place in Formula 1. We have a great pool of talent within the Red Bull junior team, and I'm sure Franco will find his way onto the grid in the future.”
James Vowles has reportedly contacted multiple F1 teams to help Colapinto get a seat for the 2025 season. With only Red Bull and VCARB remaining to confirm the 2025 lineups, it looks unlikely that Colapinto will be provided a full-time seat for the upcoming season.