In a shocking turn of events, Red Bull Racing has publicly criticized its drivers Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda, raising eyebrows within the motorsport community. Senior advisor Helmut Marko laid the blame for the team’s failure to retain the Constructors’ Championship squarely on Perez, stating that his performance significantly impacted the team’s title aspirations. Despite a promising start to the 2024 season, where Red Bull demonstrated its dominance, Perez’s struggles culminated in a season-ending 285-point gap behind teammate Max Verstappen, who clinched his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship.

Marko expressed disappointment over the lost Constructors’ title to McLaren, emphasizing that the disparity in points between Perez and Verstappen was detrimental. Following the Abu Dhabi season finale, Perez confirmed his departure from Red Bull, marking the end of a tumultuous tenure that included just one podium finish in the latter half of the season.

In his place, Red Bull has appointed Liam Lawson, who moves up from their junior team, the Racing Bulls. Despite only 11 Grand Prix under his belt, Lawson articulated his respect for Perez, acknowledging the significant legacy the Mexican driver leaves behind. Team principal Christian Horner confirmed that Lawson will support Verstappen in the upcoming season while harboring aspirations for his own championship pursuit in the future.

The situation for Tsunoda appears more precarious. Following a post-season test in Abu Dhabi, it was revealed that fellow F2 graduate Isaac Hajar outperformed Tsunoda, raising questions about the Japanese driver’s future with Red Bull. Horner hinted at the possibility that 2025 could be Tsunoda’s last chance within the Red Bull umbrella, stating that a driver cannot remain in a support role indefinitely without opportunities for advancement. As Red Bull gears up for the new season, the pressure is on for Lawson and Hajar to prove their worth, underscoring just how ruthless the world of Formula 1 can be.