For the F1 2025 season, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar might be the only drivers on Red Bull’s junior squad, VCARB, it has been rumored.
In a surprising twist, Red Bull Racing is reportedly planning a significant driver shake-up, with Yuki Tsunoda potentially replacing Sergio Pérez and Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar moving to VCARB. Despite Pérez signing a new two-year contract last month, speculation is growing that Red Bull may drop the Mexican driver if he fails to improve his recent poor form.
This speculation gained traction during the British Grand Prix weekend, with reports indicating that Pérez could be replaced during the 2024 season. Performance clauses in his revised contract allow Red Bull to make a change if necessary. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s long-serving adviser, revealed that the firm’s shareholders are eager for VCARB to return to its Toro Rosso roots, focusing on training young talent. This has increased speculation that Red Bull reserve driver Lawson could replace Daniel Ricciardo, who has struggled since his return to F1.
A report from Auto Motor und Sport suggests that VCARB could have two new drivers for the 2025 season, despite Tsunoda signing a new contract last month. Red Bull-affiliated drivers’ contracts include a mechanism allowing the company to switch them between Red Bull Racing and VCARB, as seen in 2016 when Max Verstappen swapped seats with Daniil Kvyat.
Tsunoda’s promotion would reward his performance and replace Pérez, who has scored just 15 points in the last six races. This would allow VCARB to promote Lawson, who impressed with a ninth-place finish in Singapore during a five-race stint for the injured Ricciardo. Marko revealed that a clause in Lawson’s contract allows him to leave Red Bull if not promoted to a permanent seat for 2025, with the team’s option on him expiring in September.
Hadjar, the current leader of the F2 standings who drove Pérez’s car in practice at the British Grand Prix, is also in contention to replace Ricciardo. Ricciardo has struggled since returning to F1, with just three points finishes in 20 starts. Although Red Bull team principal Christian Horner reportedly wants to keep Ricciardo, the team is trying to find him a new seat for 2025. Audi, set to take over Sauber in 2026, has shown little interest in signing Ricciardo.
If Red Bull succeeds in moving Ricciardo, Hadjar would step up to partner Lawson at VCARB, while Tsunoda joins Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. Ricciardo, speaking at the Austrian Grand Prix, insisted he is not worried about being left without a seat, stating, “I don’t want to be casual about it, because I care a lot, but I don’t know. Maybe I’m at a point where it’s just like what will be will be. I’m just going to put everything I can on the table from an effort and performance perspective. And if that is good enough to secure me a seat, great. If not, then OK. I did everything I could.”
As the driver market heats up, all eyes are on Red Bull Racing and VCARB to see how this potential shake-up will unfold.
