Marko confirms that Lawson will drive at Red Bull or RB in 2025
Speaking about the driver situation at Red Bull's two F1 teams, the company's motorsport advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has confirmed that Liam Lawson will drive at either Red Bull or the Visa Cash RB outfit in 2025.
Despite a freshly-signed two-year contract extension, Sergio Perez's future at Red Bull has been hanging in the balance. The Mexican enjoyed an impressive start to the 2024 F1 season, but his performance faded just after five races.
The six-time F1 race winner has struggled for one-lap pace in qualifying which has often had a huge impact on his race weekends. At the last race before the summer break at Spa, it had emerged that Red Bull might re-consider its driver line-up for 2025 with Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo having emerged as possible replacement for Perez.
However, the team has confirmed that the Mexican will continue to drive for Red Bull in the remainder of the season, albeit Motorsport Advisor Dr. Helmut Marko insisted that the team will evaluate its driver line-ups for next season.
The Austrian has now confirmed that Lawson will have a seat within the Red Bull family for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Speaking to Kleine Zeitung, Marko noted: "There will be a decision in September. He'll definitely be in one of our cars next year."
"If 'Checo' can consistently bring his normal speed, we'll be happy. But he always has these fluctuations somewhere, whether in qualifying or a certain part of the race. The consistency is not there, that's the problem."
After Red Bull lost its dominant form it showed at the start of the current season, the field is set to return to Zandvoort where Max Verstappen dominated in the last three seasons.
Marko thinks that McLaren will be strong again, but he hopes that Red Bull will be able to bounce back after a series of tough races.
"I would rather speak of downgrades. But I am optimistic. We were recently beaten well below our value. Qualifying will be particularly important in Zandvoort. Together with McLaren, we are certainly among the favorites."
