Outrage as Red Bull drops axe, replacement revealed

Red Bull has finally put a star driver out of his misery, but the decision on his replacement has caused a stir across the Formula 1 grid.

Sergio Perez has reportedly been put out of his misery with Red Bull dropping the axe this week.

According to widespread reports, Perez has been told he will not continue with the team in 2025 and negotiations surrounding a termination pay out have begun.

While Perez was not expected to survive following the Red Bull team’s final testing event in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, the team’s decision to reportedly promote Kiwi Liam Lawson to replace him has ruffled feathers.

Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda appeared to have been snubbed again.

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Sky Sports in Germany was one outlet to report Perez is out.

The official F1 broadcast partner in France, Canal+, has also reported Lawson has been chosen ahead of his Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) Tsunoda.

ESPN motorsport journalist Nate Saunders also reported Lawson has won the race for the seat that no longer belongs to Perez.

It leaves the VCARB development team needing to find a replacement to partner Tsunoda in 2025.

According to the report, the decision to axe Perez will be announced before Christmas.

It remains unclear if Perez will remain with the team in a promotional role or if he will make a clean break.

It was revealed earlier this month, Perez’s contract had favourable terms for a massive pay out should the team rip the contract up.

Red Bull extended the Mexican’s contract until the end of 2026 earlier this year but his form, particularly in qualifying, fell off a cliff in the second half of the year.

Thanks for your service. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images.

Team principal Christian Horner made the unusual move of declaring Red Bull had given Perez the choice to continue or retire, leaving the decision up to the driver.

Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg said earlier this month Perez would not walk away without wanting a hefty payout.

The 2016 champion told Sky Sports: “All the rumours suggest that he’s on his way out, but he hasn’t confirmed it yet, because he does have a contract apparently for next year.

“We’ve heard rumours it’s around $16 million (A$25 million) there at play. He wants his money at least, so he’s not going to go away that easily. And I think there’s a bit of lawyer discussions going on at the moment.

“Who should replace him? Yeah, it’s such a hard decision, and the options are not so fantastic also because of a lack of experience on Lawson’s side.

“But I guess the rumours are, again, that they’re going to go for Lawson, which is the new driver that they brought in just recently in the Racing Bull’s car.

“And, yeah, I mean, that’s not an obvious one either because against Yuki Tsunoda it’s not like he’s been like on a different planet, he’s been there or thereabouts. But I guess that’s the gamble they will take, and they should be taking Red Bull.”

The decision to put Lawson ahead of Tsunoda has caused plenty of surprise and outrage.

Tsunoda was faster than Lawson during the pre-season testing event where both drivers were given their first chances to drive the Red Bull car.

Since Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo earlier this year, Tsunoda picked up more championship points and had a superior record over Lawson in head-to-head qualifying results.

Tsunoda said after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he would be surprised if Lawson was given the promotion.

Kiwi Liam Lawson. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images.

“If they choose Liam, that’d be weird,” he said.

“Liam did a really good job when he drove in the team, but I think I did more than that.”

One Formula 1 fan said Tsunoda had been “robbed”.

Another fan called it a “travesty”.

“Liam Lawson is class and a proper good lad but what’s a driver development program if you don’t promote your most developed driver,” he wrote.

“Overlooking Yuki Tsunoda is a travesty. And they’re going to thrust Lawson up too quickly. “We’re looking at another (Pierre) Gasly situation here.”

Another wrote: “So, Red Bull are being their usual ruthless selves by callously ditching Sergio Perez for Liam Lawson, overlooking Yuki Tsunoda completely.

“Shameless, unsurprisingly so.What a horrible culture they have. Awful place and team.”

VCARB has not announced who will now take Lawson’s vacated seat.

According to ESPN, Formula 2 driver Isack Hadjar will likely be the one promoted to join VCARB.

Red Bull product Franco Colapinto, who drove in his rookie season for Williams in 2024, looked like a strong candidate to join the Red Bull junior team, but senior Red Bull officials have reportedly gone cold on that option.

Originally published as Outrage as Red Bull drops axe, replacement revealed