‘One simple choice’ Red Bull must make amid Formula 1 driver circus

A former Formula 1 driver has stated the only decision Red Bull can make as the drama within their own garage reaches ugly heights.

Red Bull's got a big call on their hands

Red Bull have a driver dilemma on their hands with Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo at the forefront of the drama.

As the Formula 1 season edges closer to the summer break, the driver circus is ramping up into complete chaos.

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Perez’s form has brutally cratered in the wake of putting pen to paper on a fresh two-year contract extension, with the Mexican star now staring down the barrel of being axed by Red Bull.

According to Autosport, there is a performance-related clause in Perez’s contract that could allow Red Bull to terminate his deal mid-season.

That report sent the rumour mill into overdrive with many believing Ricciardo was the man who would be thrust into the seat alongside Max Verstappen.

It would then leave Ricciardo’s seat at VISA Cash App RB wide open for Liam Lawson to step into.

But former Formula 1 driver Giedo van der Garde believes there is a clear cut decision that Red Bull have to make in the wake of Perez’s horror downfall.

Ricciardo has been linked with replacing Perez. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Perez has been in a horror slump. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“It’s really bad now. Since he has signed, it’s just been absolutely sh*t,” van der Garde said on the DRS: The Race Show podcast.

“If he doesn’t start performing, there is only one simple choice.

“They shouldn’t get Ricciardo, because he is still performing worse than Yuki Tsunoda.

“He should finish his year and do something else.

“I would say just put in that Liam Lawson. It is a rookie, a boy who is fast, he can still learn a lot from Max, nobody expects much from him.

“It’s an advantage that he could do the test this week, because then they can immediately see how fast he is. And what is his feedback, how smooth and comfortable is he in that car.

“They did the same with Ricciardo last year and a few weeks later he was in Nyck (de Vries’) car. If Perez doesn’t keep performing, they have to.”

Lawson is just lurking in the shadows. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

With Perez teetering on the brink, a Planet.F1 report states there are clauses which state Red Bull can sack Perez in the summer break if he is more than 100 points behind Verstappen after the Belgian Grand Prix. He is currently 137 points behind Verstappen.

Along with van der Garde, former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos believes Lawson should be the man elevated into the main seat to replace Perez.

“Liam Lawson is testing that car, Max and Checo’s, the RB20, on this same circuit,” Doornbos told Ziggo Sport.

“You have to put him in, you have to do something now. You have no excuses anymore. The data does not lie.

“It’s a very difficult situation for Red Bull, because they let it fester for too long.”

The Formula 1 grid will return to the track this weekend when the paddock descends on the Hungarian Grand Prix.