F1: Red Bull Axes Perez For Lawson, Bottas Rejoins Mercedes As Reserve Driver

The 2024 F1 season concluded with Dutch driver Max Verstappen clinching his fourth consecutive drivers' world title, however a third consecutive constructors' title eluded his Red Bull Racing outfit this season. (Image: F1.com)

The 2024 Formula 1 (F1) season recently concluded with Max Verstappen clinching his fourth consecutive drivers’ world title. Nonetheless, drama behind the scenes continue to arise, especially regarding who will partner the Dutchman at Red Bull Racing in 2025.

Leading up to the season finale round held at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, speculation and rumours were rife about current Number 2 driver Sergio Perez (better known as ‘Checo’) being dropped by Red Bull Racing despite both having signed an early contract extension deal.

The lulled performance of outgoing second driver Sergio Perez 'Checo' (right) is widely tipped as the key factor to Red Bull Racing's missed 2024 constructors' title and their decision to replace him with youngster Liam Lawson (left). (Image: F1.com)

Said rumours became facts late last week when the veteran 34-year-old Mexican driver announced via social media that he would leave the team ahead of the 2025 season. Clearly, his position at the Milton Keynes-based team became untenable after failing to turn around his abysmal late-season performance

Said performance slump is widely viewed as the key reason to Red Bull Racing losing out to rivals McLaren for this year’s constructors’ title and prize. Both Perez and Red Bull Racing had previously clinched the 2022 and 2023 constructors’ titles together, but missed out on a third consecutive one this year due to the Mexican's performance slump mentioned.

With 11 F1 race starts under his belt from stints across 2023 and 2024, Lawson (left) has been promoted to the main Red Bull Racing team to partner reigning world champion Verstappen (right) in 2025. (Image: F1.com)

Shortly after, Red Bull Racing announced that Perez’ vacant seat would be filled by Liam Lawson instead. The 22-year-old New Zealand driver has been part of Red Bull Racing’s driver development pool, and he’s already charted 11 F1 Grand Prix starts under his belt across both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the latter as a replacement to Daniel Ricciardo at sister team Racing Bulls (RB).

Lawson’s promotion to the main Red Bull Racing team does however see the energy drinks giant snub Yuki Tsunoda. Said 24-year-old Japanese driver has been at the RB team since 2021 and showed signs of improved performance in recent races, even earning himself a highly positive post-season testing stint with the main Red Bull Racing team mentioned.

Lawson's promotion does also see Red Bull subbing Yuki Tsunoda who continues for a fifth consecutive season with sister team Racing Bulls (RB) in 2025. (Images: F1.com)

Joining alongside Tsunoda at RB for 2025 is rookie signing Isack Hadjar. The 20-year-old French-Algerian ended 2024 as F2 vice champion. (Images: F1.com)

Unfortunately, the snub means Tsunoda will continue with RB (previously known as Scuderia Alpha Tauri) for a fifth consecutive season in 2025 as its lead driver. He will be joined alongside by new rookie signing and Red Bull Junior Team alumni Isack Hadjar. The 20-year-old French-Algerian youth ended his 2024 on a high as F2 vice champion as well.

Beyond Red Bull Racing’s – and susbsequently sister team RB’s – drivers roster changes, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team also made a surprising announcement. Though it has confirmed both George Russel and new signing Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the team also revealed that Valtteri Bottas is returning as reserve driver for 2025 too.

Also confirming his presence - albeit limited - in the 2025 grid and paddock is veteran driver Valtteri Bottas. The veteran Finn rejoins Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team as its reserve driver next season . (Images: F1.com)

The 35-year-old Finn last raced for the Petronas-backed and Toto Wolff-led team across a five-season stint from 2017 to 2021, placing as high as second overall in the drivers’ standings twice in both 2019 and 2020 before switching to the Alfa Romeo- and later Stake/Kicks-branded Sauber team from 2022 onwards.

2024 proved to be a challenging year for the Finn indeed having scored zero points due to uncompetitive machinery. Given the team’s transitional status before becoming a full-works Audi team, Bottas’ future presence on the F1 grid beyond 2024 was in doubt. Clearly, this reserve driver role at the team once spent the most success with is proving to be a lifeline of sorts.