Jos Verstappen has endorsed Liam Lawson as a potential replacement for Sergio Perez at Red Bull next season, even though his son, Max, has expressed that he doesn’t want a new teammate. Max Verstappen, 27, is on the brink of securing his fourth consecutive F1 title following his victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend.
The win marked Max’s first in 11 races, bringing him within reach of the Drivers’ Championship. However, Perez’s underwhelming performance—finishing 11th in São Paulo after placing 17th in Mexico City—has had little impact on the Constructors’ Championship, with McLaren and Ferrari continuing to mount strong title bids.
Perez signed a one-year extension with Red Bull in June, but after a series of lackluster results, speculation is mounting that Red Bull may release him in 2025. Speaking to Viaplay, Jos Verstappen suggested that his son would benefit from a teammate who is “competitive and pushes” him, and noted that he would be open to seeing Lawson take Perez’s spot.
This follows Max Verstappen’s own comments in September, where he advocated for Perez to remain with the team, calling him “a great guy” and “a great racer,” and highlighting the importance of “stability” in the team. “I want Checo as my teammate,” he told Fox Sports, praising their strong relationship.
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“I’ve always said that stability and team harmony are key,” Max Verstappen added. “As I mentioned during the summer break, I believe we have more pressing concerns than focusing on the second car. For me, that’s not something up for discussion.”
Earlier this month, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed that Perez’s future would be reviewed at season’s end. “Checo has a contract for next year, but we are assessing the entire situation. After Abu Dhabi, we’ll have all the facts and make our decision,” he remarked.
Lawson, 22, is currently the frontrunner to replace Perez if Red Bull opts for a change. Tensions between Lawson and Perez surfaced at the Mexican Grand Prix, where Lawson raised his middle finger at Perez after a collision at Turn 5 while vying for position.
Following the incident, the New Zealander clarified his stance, saying, “My goal isn’t to go out and create conflicts or issues. I’m here to win, not to make friends, and that’s where my focus is.”
Red Bull faces a unique decision: while Perez maintains harmony by not challenging Verstappen, he’s not bringing in significant points. Replacing him with Lawson could alter the team dynamic and potentially boost performance, leaving Red Bull to weigh the potential impact of the change.
The team has also been linked with Williams driver Franco Colapinto, with some reports suggesting the Argentine could replace Lawson at AlphaTauri if the Kiwi moves up to Red Bull.